Taking Time to Smell the Chocolate, with Tammy Travis of Sarah's Patisserie

Recently Light in Winter took a moment to catch up with Light in Winter performer and local pasty chef, Tammy Travis.

LIW: Did you always know that you wanted to be a pastry chef? How did you come to focus on your current craft?

TT: After High School I went to Community College for Graphic Design. To support myself, I got a job washing dishes at Cabbagetown Cafe. Soon after I figured out I’d rather be in the kitchen. Twenty years later and many restaurants later I decided to focus on Pastry.

LIW: I know that after graduation from the French Culinary Institute, you went to on to work with Jacques Torres at Le Cirque. How do you think has that inspired your work?

TT: I think of my experience at Le Craig 2000 everyday,the good and the bad. It was like boot camp,you felt extremely lucky to be there but it was also hell. This is were I learned the most. I am very fortunate to have been taught by a man with such passion for chocolate.

LIW: Chocolate lovers (such as myself) feel very lucky to have Sarah’s Patisserie here in our community. What brought you and Sarah’s Patisserie to Ithaca, NY?

TT:I loved and hated living in NYC. I grew up here and always considered it home. So after Le Craig I decided to come home. I worked at the Patisserie for two years before I decided to buy the business. In 2004 Sarah’s Patisserie was born.

LIW: Finally, could you give us your top five Sarah’s Patisserie recommendations for holiday entertaining?

TT: Of course! My Top 5 reccomendations are:

Buche de Noel
Stollen
Cookies. Cookies. Cookies
Boxes of Chocolates as gifts
Gift certificates for pastry classes

And don’t forget to treat yourself! Come on in and have a hot chocolate.

LIW: Thanks Tammy! Happy Holidays to you and your family. And see you in January!

For fabulous holiday confections, visit Sarah’s Patisserie.

And don’t miss “For Love of Chocolate”  – Sunday January 24th, 12:00pm. For tickets click here.

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