<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=130915974292676&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

Eric Bertoia 600Eric Bertoia

Corporate Pastry Chef

Email Eric

Follow Eric on Instagram

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. 

 

HubSpot Video

Frederic Larre

Pastry Chef Technician

Email Frederic

Follow Frederic on Instagram

 

Chef Frédéric Larré’s enjoyment of culinary delights goes farther back than he can remember. At age 16, right after high school, he started his career as an apprentice at Honoré Pâtissier in Paris, France. During his obligatory duty to the French Armed Forces, Larré served as pastry chef at Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic. Since then, nothing has brought him more pleasure than presenting his amazing creations and decadent treats at lavish events and intimate in-home gatherings.

After landing in New York City from his home in France, Larré began working in the pastry kitchen at the Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at the age of 23. In 1998, Chef Larré joined the opening team at the renowned Bellagio in Las Vegas which lead to a 5 year stint at Le Cirque at the Bellagio. He has served as pastry chef at other outstanding Vegas properties such as Mandalay Bay’s Mix and Vdara Hotel & Spa operated by MGM Resorts International.

Working alongside world-renowned chefs like Alain Ducasse and Jean-Philippe Maury has allowed him to gain the knowledge that has made him a master craftsman of the beautiful pastries he creates. Even with his great success professionally, Larré very much enjoys cooking for family and friends.

Chef Larré’s enjoyment of life, passion for the art of French pastry, exceptional leadership skills and dedication to using only the finest ingredients makes him the perfect addition to STARR Restaurants Catering Group as Divisional Executive Pastry Chef. Chef Larré Moved to the Houston area in February of 2014 to join the compass group as Executive Pastry Chef for the ExxonMobil campus located in the woodlands. In June of 2015 Chef Larré was introduced to the French Culinary Academy, the oldest culinary academy in the world, founded in 1883.

Today, Frédéric Larré is Technical Chef Advisor for Paris Gourmet in the Central Region of the United States. His mission is to promote awareness of Paris Gourmet’s leading pastry ingredient brands: Pastry 1, Cocoa Noel, Beurremont, Amifruit, Nutley Farms and more.

Sylvain Leroy 600Sylvain Leroy

Maitre Chocolatier

Email Sylvain

Follow Sylvain on Instagram

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. 

Screen Shot 2020-03-24 at 3.11.06 PMCalogero Romano

Pastry Chef Technician

Email Calogero

Follow Calogero on Instagram

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.