Pastry Chef Dominique Ansel Shares His Secrets at Smithsonian Associates Event

The Smithsonian Associates presents an evening with Chef Dominique Ansel Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6:45 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center. In a conversation with Todd Kliman, dining editor of Washingtonian magazine, Ansel shares the secrets to transforming humble ingredients—flour, butter and sugar—into the most tempting and satisfying pastries imaginable, and he reveals the personal stories behind his creations.

Ansel grabbed the nation’s attention last year with his creation of the Cronut, the croissant-doughnut hybrid that resulted in around-the-block lines at his bakery in New York’s Soho. His new cookbook, Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes (Simon & Schuster), proves his work is about more than the Cronut craze. It traces the inspiration of a chef whose creative process is rooted in a deep philosophy of good food and whose classical training also reflects a generous sprinkling of risk taking and innovation.

Following the conversation, participants will enjoy samples of “breakfast for dessert” with Ansel’s “Christmas morning cereal,” a delicious concoction of clusters of puffed rice covered in Valrhona Caramelia chocolate with smoked cinnamon mini-meringue kisses and spiced hazelnuts. Local pastry stars Tiffany MacIsaac (formerly of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group), Susan Limb (Praline Bakery in Bethesda), Santosh Tiptur (Co Co. Sala in D.C.) and Caitlin Dysart (2941 Restaurant in Falls Church) join in the fun and share their own takes on breakfast for dessert.

Ticket prices for the Smithsonian Associates’ presentation and Ansel’s cookbook are $60 for general admission and $55 for members. Tickets can be purchased without the cookbook for $30 general admission and $25 for members. For tickets and information, the public may call (202) 633-3030 or visit www.smithsonianassociates.org. Ansel’s book will be available for signing after the program.

The Smithsonian Associates—the largest museum-based education program in the world—produces vibrant educational and cultural programming inspired by the Smithsonian’s research, collections and exhibitions. Each year more than 750 individual programs are presented to spark creativity and excite learning in people of all ages in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country. The Smithsonian Associates, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2015, brings the Smithsonian to life through seminars, performances, lectures, studio arts classes and local and regional study tours, as well as many engaging programs for children, including performances, museum sleepovers and summer day camps.

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