February’s round-table with three bartenders and last week’s Chinese food chat with author Jennifer 8. Lee were such hits that we’re bringing in more food-world folks for Q&As. On Thursday, April 3, at 11 AM, three of the area’s top pastry chefs—all 2008 Rammy Award nominees—will chat live on Washingtonian.com. Want to know their take on the current cupcake craze? Or how to avoid home baking disasters? Submit a question in advance for our pastry panel here:Heather Chittum has been a fixture on the local pastry scene for the past several years—first at Notti Bianche and Dish, then at Citronelle, and now at Hook. Her desserts—such as a tic-tac-toe board of chocolate "whoopie pies" and vanilla-shortbread “x” cookies—often have a witty streak, but her simple, buttery madeleines could make any Francophile swoon.
Michelle Poteaux owns Alexandria’s cozy-chic Bastille with her chef husband, Christophe Poteaux. Her desserts often draw from French bistro classics: warm apple tarte Tatin with crème-fraîche sabayon, Valrhona-chocolate mousse with brandied cherries. She also has a hand in the savory side of the menu—think sea-scallop crème brûlée and black-truffle ice cream.
Josh Short is the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s executive pastry chef, based out of Alexandria’s Buzz Bakery. He dreams up elegant desserts for NRG’s restaurants (Evening Star Cafe, Rustico, Tallula/EatBar, and Vermilion), but we can’t get enough of his fabulous chocolate-filled cupcakes and espresso-laced brownies.For more posts on dining, Washington restaurant news, and more, click here.
