Bouchon Bakery

[samgiovese]

We've purchased pastries twice this week from Bouchon Bakery, and they have been, without a doubt, some of THE WORST pastries we have ever eaten.

First we had a Pain Raisin and Chocolate Almond Croissant that were both so either old or over-baked, that they disintegrated when put to the knife.

This morning, we had 2 usually delicious chocolate doughnuts that tasted like hockey pucks. They were greasy, overcooked, and dry. I would have thought they were baked sometime yesterday instead of this morning. A banana nut muffin & bear claw were equally old-tasting.

Does anyone know what is going on here?!?!? Their pastries have always been wonderful, and we cannot figure out what is going on.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

Please share your thoughts.

[alanamoana]

hey samgiovese! from what i understand, the head baker at bouchon left earlier this year. maybe a few months ago?

that could definitely be a reason.

[dvs]

i don't think they have a baker right now... but i also haven't been there in 3 months.

in other news the Rudd's (of dean & deluca fame) have bought Gordon's.

[artisanbaker]

Roger Gural who is an old poster on egullet (rgural) left in January. There is a new head baker who started around last week IIRC, not that he should have anything to so with the pastries...necessarily...

Edited May 2, 2007 by artisanbaker (log)

[devinf]

Bouchon is a notorious grindhouse. It goes through people fast. High demand, lowlow pay. The turnover might be catching up with them?

[alanamoana]

Roger Gural who is an old poster on egullet (rgural) left in January. There is a new head baker who started around last week IIRC, not that he should have anything to so with the pastries...necessarily...

←

i think the baker (which was roger) is in charge of all the pastries that bouchon produces...as well as the breads. i'm speaking of the viennoiserie-type pastries and excluding tarts and bouchons and such.

don't know how much control over their menu the pastry chef (if they have one at the bakery) has, or whether the pastry chef at french laundry has any responsibility at bouchon.

it's different at per se in new york. the pastry chef has some production control over what is produced for the take-away bakery while the baker is only in charge of the bread program.

edited to add: i could, of course, be wrong

Edited May 3, 2007 by alanamoana (log)

[molto e]

well...my dog's were gifted the foie gras biscuits and they love em