Jacques Torres
Encyclopedia
Jacques Torres, known as “Mr. Chocolate,” is a master pastry chef. Torres is a prominent member of the FCI community, leading the Pastry Arts as well as holding pastry demonstrations.
and grew up in Bandol
, a fishing village in the South of France. When Torres was 15 years old, he began an apprenticeship at a small pastry shop and completed his apprenticeship requirements in two years, graduating first in his class. In 1980, he began working with two-star Michelin
chef, Jacques Maximim at the Hotel Negresco
. During that time, Torres also attended culinary school to earn a Master Pastry Chef
degree. Next he taught pastry courses at a culinary school in Cannes from 1983-1986. In 1986, Torres was the youngest person to ever win the Meilleur Ouvrier
Patissier de France competition. Torres moved to the United States, and in 1988 he served as the Corporate Pastry Chef for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company before moving on to Le Cirque
, where he worked for 11 years as Executive Pastry Chef. Torres joined the faculty
of The French Culinary Institute in 1993, and after designing the Classic Pastry Arts Curriculum in 1996, he became the school’s Dean
of Pastry Arts. In 2000, Torres left Le Cirque to open a chocolate factory and retail shop in Brooklyn, NY. Currently there are seven Jacques Torres shops, including two chocolate factories and an ice cream shop.
In 2007, Jacques Torres married chocolatier
Hasty Khoei, who formerly worked under Torres in his chocolate factory. Mrs. Torres owns a chocolate shop, Madame Chocolat, in Beverly Hills, California.
Biography
Jacques Torres was born in AlgiersAlgiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
and grew up in Bandol
Bandol
Bandol is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
, a fishing village in the South of France. When Torres was 15 years old, he began an apprenticeship at a small pastry shop and completed his apprenticeship requirements in two years, graduating first in his class. In 1980, he began working with two-star Michelin
Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
chef, Jacques Maximim at the Hotel Negresco
Hotel Negresco
The Hotel Negresco on the Promenade des Anglais on the Baie des Anges in Nice, France was named for Henri Negresco who had the palatial hotel constructed in 1912...
. During that time, Torres also attended culinary school to earn a Master Pastry Chef
Pastry chef
A pastry chef or pâtissier is a station chef in a professional kitchen, skilled in the making of pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods...
degree. Next he taught pastry courses at a culinary school in Cannes from 1983-1986. In 1986, Torres was the youngest person to ever win the Meilleur Ouvrier
Meilleur Ouvrier de France
"Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" is a craftsmen competition, held every four years.The title of Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France is a unique award in France according to category of trades in a contest between professionals. This contest is organized and recognized as a third-level degree...
Patissier de France competition. Torres moved to the United States, and in 1988 he served as the Corporate Pastry Chef for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company before moving on to Le Cirque
Le Cirque
Le Cirque is a French restaurant in Manhattan owned and operated by Sirio Maccioni. It first opened at the Mayfair Hotel in 1974. It closed and reopened as Le Cirque 2000 at the Palace Hotel in 1997. The latest installation of Le Cirque opened in 2006 in the Bloomberg Tower building at One Beacon...
, where he worked for 11 years as Executive Pastry Chef. Torres joined the faculty
Faculty
Faculty may refer to:In education:* Faculty , a division of a university* Faculty , academic staff of a university or collegeIn other uses:...
of The French Culinary Institute in 1993, and after designing the Classic Pastry Arts Curriculum in 1996, he became the school’s Dean
Dean
-Title:* Dean * Dean , persons in certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy* The head of a Bar association or equivalent body in some jurisdictions...
of Pastry Arts. In 2000, Torres left Le Cirque to open a chocolate factory and retail shop in Brooklyn, NY. Currently there are seven Jacques Torres shops, including two chocolate factories and an ice cream shop.
In 2007, Jacques Torres married chocolatier
Chocolatier
A chocolatier is someone who makes confectionery from chocolate. Chocolatiers are distinct from chocolate makers, who create chocolate from cacao beans and other ingredients.Professional chocolatiers study topics including the following:...
Hasty Khoei, who formerly worked under Torres in his chocolate factory. Mrs. Torres owns a chocolate shop, Madame Chocolat, in Beverly Hills, California.
Achievements
- Chef Torres has won numerous awards, including the James Beard FoundationJames Beard FoundationThe James Beard Foundation is a New York-based national professional non-profit organization named in honor of James Beard that serves to promote the culinary arts by honoring chefs, wine professionals, journalists, and cookbook authors at annual award ceremonies and providing scholarships and...
Pastry Chef of the Year, the Chefs of America Pastry Chef of the Year, and Chartreuse Pastry Chef of the Year.
- He is a member of the Académie Culinaire de France, and in 2003 the James Beard Foundation inducted him into the Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America.
- Chef Torres is the author of two Dessert Circus books, and the host of the Food NetworkFood NetworkFood Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
TV show Chocolate with Jacques TorresChocolate with Jacques TorresChocolate with Jacques Torres is a North American television cooking show hosted by renowned pastry chef and chocolate aficionado, Jacques Torres. It premiered in on the Food Network in 2002....
.
- In 2004 he opened his chocolate factory and second retail location in Manhattan, Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven.
- On May 13, 2010 Torres, along with culinary chefs from the French Culinary InstituteFrench Culinary InstituteThe French Culinary Institute , also known as The International Culinary Center has locations in SoHo, New York City and in the San Francisco Bay Area of California....
, Jacques PepinJacques PépinJacques Pépin is an internationally recognized French chef, television personality, and author working in the United States. Born in Bourg-en-Bresse, Lyon in France, Pepin was raised by a father and mother who jointly owned a restaurant, where he later credited the start of his love for food. He...
, Alain SailhacAlain SailhacAlain Sailhac, born in Millau, France is an internationally recognized French chef working in New York City where he holds the position of Executive Vice President and Dean Emeritus at The French Culinary Institute. Sailhac earned the first ever four star rating from The New York Times while at Le...
and André SoltnerAndré SoltnerAndré Soltner is an internationally recognized French chef and author working in the United States.- Background :...
, prepared a $30,000-per-couple dinner for U.S. President Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
’s fund-raiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign CommitteeDemocratic Congressional Campaign CommitteeThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
at Manhattan’s St. Regis hotel.