As if running a cooking school, launching virtual classes, and growing her business during a pandemic weren’t enough, Molly Wilkinson also took on writing a cookbook – creating 60 recipes in just four months – and getting French Pastry Made Simple published.
Molly grew up baking in the kitchen with her mother. Perched on a tall stool, she watched everything her mother did – occasionally sneaking a taste. As she got older, she memorized recipes and spent her summer days baking on her own. There was always butter in the fridge!
After high school, Molly went the traditional route. She studied advertising and public relations in college and began working for a digital marketing agency. But, her passion for baking never waned, and she routinely brought desserts to the office for her co-workers.
In 2013, everything changed. Molly packed her bags, moved to Paris, and began a year of studying French pastry at Le Cordon Bleu, learning from some of the best pastry chefs in France.
Her year of study was followed by an internship at La Fabrique á Gateaux in the République neighborhood of Paris, where worked with two outstanding women chefs who had previously worked under one of the top pastry chefs in France.
Molly stayed in Paris until her Visa was about to expire, not wanting to leave the city she had started to call home. After some time back in Texas working for a couple of different bakeries, including an incredible French pastry shop called Bisous Bisous Patisserie and a fantastic gourmet cheese shop called Scardello Cheese, she returned to Paris to work at a cooking school. Eventually, she began working as a freelance pastry chef, conducting workshops at Chateau de Gudanes, in the South of France, and teaching small group classes in the kitchen of her Versailles home.
In French Pastry Made Simple, Molly takes the most essential techniques of French pastry and makes them easy for home bakers, resulting in an impressive collection of simple, key recipes that introduce novice bakers to the world of French pastry. With friendly yet detailed directions, you can enjoy delicious and beautiful homemade creations.
French Pastry Made Simple is available anywhere books are sold – like your local bookstore. Just search Molly Wilkinson and it will pop up.
Bon appétit!
Photo by: @missparisphoto
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