Chez Panisse Desserts

“This is a very special cookbook. . . . Guided and stimulated by the philosophy and resources of Chez Panisse, Lindsey Shere expresses her almost ethereal sense for balancing flavors and combining tastes. Her desserts are restrained-yet exotic and wild. They leave you charmed, surprised, and satisfied.”-Alice Waters, from the Preface

“Lindsey Shere’s desserts are poetic and beautiful. . . . She is a genius at the creation of subtle flavors and aromas.”-Elizabeth David

Lindsey Shere, the longtime pastry chef of Chez Panisse, the legendary restaurant founded by Alice Waters, presents her renowned dessert recipes. Classic in inspiration, innovative in execution, the collection builds from recipes for basic pastries, cookies, cakes, and creams to an array of sophisticated and sumptuous finales. The result is a revelation of color, flavor, and texture that complement seasonal menus- an autumnal Chartreuse Ice Cream and Figs in Caramel; a winter counterpoint of Pink Grapefruit and Champagne Sorbet; the riotous berry creations of the spring-tarts, pies, shortcakes, curds, and fools; and the Sunset Bombe of summer. Lindsey Shere conveys the intricacies of her technique with extraordinary clarity and precision.

For the professional chef or dedicated home cook, Chez Panisse Desserts will expand the repertoire and, in the Chez Panisse tradition, inspire new uses for the freshest ingredients nature has to offer.

Author Biography

Lindsey R. Shere is a retired pastry chef living in Sonoma County. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, after studying French language, literature, and political history. In 1971 she and Alice Waters collaborated to open the restaurant Chez Panisse, where she worked as a celebrated pastry chef until her retirement in 1998. Shere was named Pastry Chef of the Year by the James Beard Foundation in 1993.