Jacques Torres: A World of Chocolate

The Banter

The Guys discuss the fall of one of Mark’s old employers where you may have enjoyed a "fest."

The Conversation

The Restaurant Guys have a talk with Jacques Torres, Mr. Chocolate, while enjoying the fruits of his labor. They discuss sourcing high quality ingredients, the future of the cacao bean and why his hot chocolate is so incredible. 

The Inside Track

The Guys hosted Jacques Torres on their radio show back in 2007 and are thrilled to speak with him again. They are long-time fans of both his and his chocolate.

“Chocolate and pastry. This is my life. This is what I do. I've got that in my veins,” Jacques Torres on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024

Bio

Jacques Torres, affectionately known as Mr. Chocolate, is an expert in the field of chocolate and beyond.  In 1988, he came to the U.S. as the Corporate Pastry Chef for Ritz Carlton Hotels.  After a year, Sirio Maccioni invited Jacques to New York City to work at his restaurant, Le Cirque, as the Executive Pastry Chef.  

In 2000, Torres left Le Cirque and opened his own chocolate factory and retail shop in Brooklyn. Eventually, he went on to open seven shops, including two chocolate factories and an ice cream shop. Jacques was a pioneer in the bean to bar movement, he was the first artisan chocolatier in New York City to start from cocoa beans and make his own chocolate. 

He has received numerous awards over the years as well as The James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year Award in 1994, and inducted in The James Beard Who’s Who of American Food & Beverage Award in 2003.  In 2016, Dessert Professional Magazine inducted him in the Chocolate Hall of Fame and also the same year was awarded the highest honor in France, The Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.  

Jacques has been the head judge on “Nailed It!”. The show has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Competition Program.  He also hosted a television series, Chocolate with Jacques Torres, on the Food Network.

His cookbooks:  Dessert Circus: Extraordinary Desserts You Can Make At Home , and Dessert Circus At Home, A Year in Chocolate .

Info

Jacques Torres’ Shop
https://mrchocolate.com/

Cacao Trace video
https://youtu.be/KCCLPWVk6PY?feature=shared

The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3

The Restaurant Guys will be podcasting from there May 2. Come see us!

https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festival

Our Places

Stage Left Steak
https://www.stageleft.com/

Catherine Lombardi Restaurant
https://www.catherinelombardi.com/

Stage Left Wineshop
https://www.stageleftwineshop.com/

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TheGuys@restaurantguyspodcast.com