Me and Jacques
This week my class got a visit from a chef we had been waiting for all semester - the legendary Jacques Pépin! Jacques and Julia Child are the co-founders of the Culinary Arts program as well as the Masters in Gastronomy at Boston University. Every year Jacques comes to teach the students in my program for a few coveted days. Although we were excited to meet him, I was also a little apprehensive of being around such a legend. Although I have learned a lot in these past few months, I have about as much cooking knowledge as Jacques has in one fingernail! I was praying to avoid embarrassing myself at all costs. There was no reason to worry as Jacques put us all at ease with his easy manner and detailed instruction. Jacques has cooked for heads of state, royalty and celebrities, he has owned restaurants, started schools, written numerous cookbooks, had multiple TV shows and basically knows every single person who is anyone in the world of food. He began his illustrious career in restaurants at the age of 13 as an apprentice in France, and is still cooking up a storm today at age 74. His memoir, "The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen", is an amazing and inspirational story of food, friends, family, immigration to America, hard work and success. There are even some great recipes scattered throughout. I highly recommend reading this even if you aren't a major foodie.
Jacques came to teach us with his best friend and fellow chef, Jean-Claude Szurdak. Jacques and Jean-Claude met over 50 years ago when they were the private chefs for the French Prime Minister and then for President Charles de Gaulle. They moved to America around the same time and have stayed close friends and confidants ever since. Jean-Claude has had an equally prestigious career in the catering business in New York City cooking for dignitaries and politicians. The two of them are so entertaining to watch, they could have their own comedy/cooking show. They banter back and forth like brothers in English and in French. They always make sure the other has a full wine glass. There was no reason to be nervous around them in the kitchen. They gave each of us such personalized attention (although they often have opposite opinions on how to perform the same task, such as chopping an onion), especially when teaching us how to bone an entire chicken while leaving the meat and skin intact. This is not an easy task, let me tell you! But the finished product, when stuffed and trussed, is quite impressive. Under their instruction we cooked an "economical" feast for about 70 guests. The menu featured 4 courses using relatively low cost ingredients and simple techniques that any home cook can prepare. The menu consisted of assorted canapés, white bean and vegetable soup, braised chicken thighs in a mushroom sauce and an apricot galette. My favorite dish was the galette which was made using a store bought flour tortilla, canned fruit, a little sugar and butter. It doesn't get much easier than that and it was so delicious I had to help myself to multiple slices. The recipe is from Jacques' book "More Fast Food My Way" which I will be posting as soon as I try to recreate it at home. Overall it was a memorable three days spent with two funny, warm, intelligent men who have such a passion for life and food (and lots of wine!!). They made me very proud to be French.
Me and Jean-Claude in the kitchen
Sounds like an amazing experience, Zoe!!!
Posted by: kate | March 30, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Jean claude is an amazing chef, you have never tasted perfection untill you taste jean claude szurdach's cooking
Posted by: John Ligotti | September 16, 2009 at 10:18 PM