Eric Bertoia

Corporate Pastry Chef

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Born in France, surrounded by fruit trees, Eric Bertoia soon discovered that exceptional desserts could be made out of those marvelous gifts from nature. 

Eric’s background and experience includes working with Jean Francois Castagne M.O.F. (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) in chocolate then several 2 and 3 star restaurants recognized by Michelin Guide: L’Auberge de Templiers in Boismorand, La Pyramide in Vienne, L’Oustau de Baumanire in Baux de Provence, Le Taillevent in Paris. Then at the Ritz in Paris as Executive Pastry Chef. Prior to Eric’s move to Paris Gourmet, he was Corporate Pastry Chef at The Dinex Group for 15 years, where he managed and opened 15 restaurants and 2 epiceries Boulud around the world (New York, Palm Beach, Miami, Las Vegas, Boston, Washington DC, Toronto, Montreal, Singapore and London). 

Today, Eric is the Corporate Pastry Chef at Paris Gourmet and manages a culinary team of 4 pastry chef technicians. He has the experience and versatility to bridge classic French patisserie and the flourishing modern American pastry. 

Sylvain Leroy

Maitre Chocolatier

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Sylvain Leroy began his career as apprentice for the great Pastry Chef and Traiteur Jean Roger Lenne at the 'Maison Schaetjens' in his hometown of Amiens, France. He later continued to expand his knowledge and creativity under many of the great chefs of France: Paul Bugat, MOF Patrick Chevallot, MOF Gabriel Paillasson, MOF Louis Grondart Chef de cuisine (Restaurant Jules Verne) and many more. 

He arrived in the United States in 1987 as Corporate Pastry Chef for the Sofitel Hotel. In 1991 he then became Executive Pastry Chef with Hotel Inter-Continental Miami, which at that time was the largest hotel property in Miami. Then Chef Leroy took on the prestigious title of Corporate Pastry Chef for Valrhona Chocolate in 1994 traveling worldwide for 12 years. 

Institutions he has taught at include: La Varenne “Chateau du Fey “Anne Willam. CIA in Napa; the French Pastry School in Chicago; Dubrulle Culinary Academy in Vancouver; Johnson & Wales in both Rhode Island and Miami. He has done many television programs including local cable stations,CNN and Food Network. 

Impressive events as chef have included: The White House "Easter Roll" event; The New York Chocolate Show; Celebrity Chef for 'Make a Wish' Foundation Fundraiser Galas; Grapes for Humanity (Landmines affecting children) Disneyland's Gala Dinners; Robert Mondavi Winery; Jordan Winery; and for the French Consulate in America and Canada. Le Salon du Chocolat Paris and New York. 

Openings for world renowned hotels: the Atlantis, Bahamas, and Dune Jean George Restaurant, ST Regis Bora Bora also Lagoon another Jean George restaurant,US Grant San Diego created great experiences for creating quality under pressure. ( From managing brand new teams, recipes, budgets and style) with a short window of time for application. Kitchen time at some of the top tables in America has expanded his understanding of the industry in areas of management, communication, food costs and creativity with consistency. 

*World Pastry Cup USA Team Advisor since 1995 (for Team USA 2001/World Champions) *Association Internationale des Maitres Conseils en Gastronomie Française (Chevalier) *Société des Pâtissiers Française (Bronze Médial and Diplôma) *Comite National de la Gastronomie Française (Grand Diplôme D'Honneur) *Académie Culinaire de France (Diplôme and inductee; France & U.S.A.) * US Pastry Competition Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) Chef Leroy has judged many prestigious events, trained many great new chefs and is Particularly proud of being involved with “Club Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie “ *President USA Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie 2011. *Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America 2011 . 

Today, Sylvain Leroy is Paris Gourmet Maitre Chocolatier and his chief responsibilities lie with the CACAO NOEL Chocolat de Couverture brand in addition to Paris Gourmet's full portfolio. He travels all of North America conducting product seminars and visiting customers inside our national distribution base. 

Calogero Romano

Pastry Chef Technician

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Born in Oberhausen, Germany, to Italian immigrants from Sicily, Chef Calogero Romano had a “pretty sweet” upbringing, from experiencing “Kaffee and Kuchen” on Sunday afternoons in Germany to yearly family vacations alongside Sicily’s beaches in the province of Agrigento and eating granitas and gelatos in some of the most historic towns and Piazza’s in Sicily.

At the age of 13, Calogero’s family ventures brought him to New York City where he continued his education in
the American school system. While working after school in the local food industry, young Calogero now
nicknamed “Charlie”, developed a curiosity and passion for food. This led him to enroll at the Culinary Institute
of America, where he earned an Associate Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts with honors. While attending the CIA, Chef Romano did an externship at The Ritz Carlton Hotel Amelia Island, FL under the guidance of Chef James Mullaney. Working under Chef Mullaney, Charlie was heavily inspired by his mentors skill, style, work ethic, and great passion for the baking and pastry arts. He realized that he wanted to pursue the art of baking and pastry in a much larger capacity that offered a wide variety of products and services amongst the elites and most discerning clientele for a higher level of dining.

Chef Romano’s background and experience includes working at Payard Patisserie & Bistro in New York City as Chef de Partie under renowned Chef Francois Payard; Opening team member of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Central Park South in NYC under Jean Francois Bonnet; Opening team member of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in NYC under Chef Christophe Toury. In 2012, Chef Romano was also appointed by former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton to the U.S. State Department of American Chef Corps, which is comprised of a group of over 80 chefs as a part of the State Department’s Diplomatic Culinary Partnership. He has also appeared on the Judging Panel on Food Networks “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”. For 10 years, Chef Romano led the pastry program as the Executive Pastry Chef at the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. A 1400 room city center landmark luxury hotel with 3 restaurants and 60,000 square feet of banquet facilities. Chef Romano successfully executed numerous large and prestigious events including: United Nations General Assembly; US Department of State and Presidential visits; numerous visits of foreign heads of State; Peacock Alley Brunch - - voted 10 Best by Open Table and created pastry offerings for La Chine Restaurant - which received critical acclaim from many of the country’s top critics including NY Times, Bloomberg, Forbes and more.

Today, Charlie is one of 5 Corporate Pastry Chef Technicians at Paris Gourmet. His responsibilities include: research and development of ingredients, adapting ingredients to the market, customer/chef training and extensive recipe development. He has the experience and versatility to help customers of Paris Gourmet master technique in all aspects of pastry, including chocolate & sugar work, confections, gelato & frozen desserts, various types of doughs, plated desserts and entremets.