Francois Payard Returns to Celebrate Fifth Anniversary

Francois Payard, the James Beard Foundation award winning pastry chef, returns to Las Vegas on Monday, Dec. 10, to help celebrate the fifth anniversary of his Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace.

The chef plans to hold a pastry demonstration from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. that day. Here he shows step-by-step preparations of dishes from his cookbooks Simply Sensational and Chocolate Epiphany including hazelnut chocolate tart, chocolate pudding cake and a flourless cookie.

Guests land a buffet of canapés and sweets along with a gift bag including a François Payard cookbook to take home. Tickets go for $85 per person at 702-731-7292.

The restaurant also plans to serve up a Savory Sweets tribute menu this month during breakfast, lunch and dinner. One item from each class of desserts from the menu that opened the bistro show up, including seared pineapple with thyme, tapioca and coconut sorbet (from the Orchard); palet d'or hazelnut succès, chocolate marquise and crispy wafer (from Tout Chocolat); milk chocolate Payard candy bar with Gianduja and caramel glaze (from Coffee, Caramel and Nuts); and apple tatin with aged cheddar, frisée salad and toasted walnuts (from Harmonie de Fromages et Fruits).

The restaurant also has a wine cocktail inspired by the roasted pear with maple syrup and brown butter ice cream dish featured on the opening Orchard menu. The $12 cocktail combines St. Hilaire Champagne, roasted pear with maple syrup and Dulce de Leche ice cream served with a spoon to create an elegant champagne float.
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Francois Payard [Photo: Caesars Palace]