News & Politics

Gerard Pangaud: Professor of Good Food

Pangaud's recreational cooking classes bring out the chef in everyone

Most Welcome Teacher

The departure of two-star Michelin chef Gerard Pangaud from his restaurant, Gerard’s Place, left a hole in the dining scene. But the gastronome’s loss—those crispy sweetbreads! that egg-white soufflé!—is the aspiring cook’s gain.

Pangaud is directing the culinary-arts program at L’Academie de Cuisine’s professional school in Gaithersburg, but he also teaches recreational classes at the Bethesda location (5021 Wilson La.; 301-986-9490; lacademie.com). Classes have ranged from “Cuisine du Bien Être,” a one-session course on healthful cooking—Pangaud has committed to losing weight—to themed tributes to great chefs. Coming up: “teaching dinners,” in which he gives tips and demonstrates techniques while preparing a multicourse meal.