UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

During a recent visit to the University of New Hampshire, the students and the pastry chef went all out by presenting me with a stunning White House replica made from pastillage (a sugar based dough intended for decorative and showpiece pastry work). It was obvious that the project was carefully crafted and detailed by fine artists.

The White House gift coincided with an invitation that I received from the Hospitality Management Department for an event called Meet The Chef. I really enjoy these types of events because I get the opportunity to greet and encourage students in their various cooking endeavors.

While I was at the University, I gave a presentation and was also treated to three different meal periods in three different dining facilities. Executive Chef Ralph Coughenour and his staff did a phenomenal job recreating numerous White House style recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The last meal was a steak dinner. The dinner was attended by 24 students who won guest seating through a raffle.
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If you would like a good basic recipe for pastillage you can find it here. If you would just like to see what can be done with pastillage, check out these photos from the 2007 National Pastry Championships here.