Jan 11
2010

Macaron 101—Tartelette is coming to SoCal!!!

in News

When my friend Jenny, of Devour the World, and I start putting our heads together, it can only mean one thing: TROUBLE.  Back in the Fall when we were both in the throws of macaron drama, we started saying that we needed to find some way to get Helene Dujardin, writer of the amazing blog Tartelette and Macaron Goddess & PhD, to come out to Southern California and teach a macaron class.  Macarons, those feisty little French pastries that have given me and so many other people so much trouble and caused so much addiction.  Don’t remember?  Here’s a refresher:

Macaron Montage

It all started with celebrating Le Jour du Macaron, continued with several disasterous batches, and most recently continued with a Daring Bakers challenge.

When I was in San Francisco this past November, I visited Miette Patisserie in the Ferry Building on two separate occasions.

Jars filled with Miette Macarons

Can you imagine big glass jars of gorgeous macs all lined up calling out to you to eat them? Yeah, you’d go back for seconds too.

Miette Pistachio Macaron

So Jenny and I kept talking about our need for Dr. Helene to come out and give us a crash course in macaron making, when in December we finally said, “Why not?”  Flash forward to now and we have made our wishes a reality!  Not without some hiccups though.  Initially we had a bear of a time finding a location that wasn’t going to cost an arm and a leg, was big enough, provide the resources we needed, etc.  Jenny must have called 5 million locations.  That’s when Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking stepped in and saved the day, finding us a wonderful workable location in no time.  So yep, it’s on, and if you are going to be in the L.A. area on March 5th or 6th you could come and learn too!  Plus, the class is taking place just in time for you to be able to make your own perfect macarons this year for Le Jour du Macaron!!

Macaron 101, taught by Helene Dujardin, Macaron Goddess & PhD

When: Friday, March 5th at 7:00 pm or Saturday, March 6th at 10:00 am. **Please note that both classes are FULL, but you can be placed on a waiting list.**

Where: The wonderful Academy of Culinary Education.a

Details: The class tuition is $55 (payable by check or through PayPal).  The classes will last for approximately 3 hours, will focus on French meringue macarons and will cover:

  • Why use aged egg whites
  • Nuts used and best ratios
  • How to fold, when to fold, when to stop (examples of underfolded and overfolded batter will be shown, as well as the resulting macarons)
  • Colors—which medium to choose and why
  • How to flavor macaron shells (extracts? zest? powder?, etc…)
  • How to pipe (position and angle of bag—efficiency in time and space)
  • Basic chocolate ganache filling
  • Main differences between French and Italian meringue for macarons

How: Do you want to attend one of the classes? Email me (rachael{at}lafujimama{dot}com) now to reserve a spot!

Come and join us!  Not only is it going to be a blast and very educational, but just think of all those macarons that will have to be eaten at the end of class . . . .

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

LoveFeast Table January 11, 2010 at 11:15 am

Love it when a plan comes together!! Good work and enjoy all that fun!! Wish we could join in! Kristin & Chris Ann

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Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite January 11, 2010 at 11:18 am

That’s so awesome! I am jealous and wish I could join you – would be so much fun!!! I think that once you have done a course like that it just makes you feel like you CAN do it and hopefully my success over the weekend (see tomorrow’s post) was because of the huge amount of euros I dropped (ahem, WAY more than $55) for the Lenôtre course in Paris and not just semi beginner’s luck!!! I am very interested to see what you learn – I know you will tell us all about it! – and see how it compares to what I learnt.

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Paula - bell'alimento January 11, 2010 at 11:42 am

I’m taking a class with the evah so fabulous Helen this weekend! Can’t wait to find my feet with Macarons!

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wendy January 11, 2010 at 11:51 am

That looks like fun! Is there any way you could do an online version??? There’s no way I can get down there, but I really want to learn to make macarons :)

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jenjenk January 11, 2010 at 12:31 pm

This is going to be so much fun!!! Crazy how we just opened it up on Friday and we’re already completely booked on one of the dates!!!

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LollyChops January 11, 2010 at 1:36 pm

That is sooooo cool! Congrats on getting that class set up!

I wish I could come too! Man oh man! I am starving for macaroons now!

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Sarah, Maison Cupcake January 11, 2010 at 3:10 pm

Well done on organising this. I only wish it were in London! I have serious mac failure lately but realised the error probably lies in my mis-interpreting powdered sugar as caster sugar (what you guys call superfine) instead of confectioners sugar (what we call icing sugar). Those jars of macarons look fabulous.

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Kate @ Savour Fare January 11, 2010 at 4:31 pm

So looking forward to this! That Daring Bakers Challenge kicked my a__!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) January 11, 2010 at 6:31 pm

We’re excited you’re coming Kate! I think that DB Challenge was a similar experience for most people… LOL

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Sonja @ ActiveFoodie January 11, 2010 at 4:46 pm

Great teamwork you guys, I am thrilled it worked out! I can’t wait for the class, would love to master the mac and wow everybody during the holidays this year! Can’t wait!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) January 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm

We’re so happy you’re coming Sonja!

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Patti at Worth The Whisk January 11, 2010 at 4:51 pm

My mouth is watering for those photos, how exciting to have your Saturday class already full. I’m checking my calendar RIGHT NOW!

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Fuji Mama (Rachael) January 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Thanks Patti!

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Bob January 11, 2010 at 7:28 pm

Man, I wish I could go, I’ve never made macaroons. I assume you’ll be taking lots of pictures. ;)

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Barbara Kiebel January 12, 2010 at 8:46 am

How I wish I could make this class; I’m starting my second round of Macs today. First were OK…even got some feet, but that part of when the meringue is beaten just right? I need to work on that, mine apparently underbeat and I had some cute (albeit wrong) swirls on the top.

Have fun, and hope you’ll share what you learn with all of us!

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Gaby January 13, 2010 at 7:51 am

omg I am so excited for the class! First of all to see you lovely ladies… and because my macs are a big fat failure! I need some serious help! xo

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[email protected] January 14, 2010 at 10:51 am

Macarons are my favorite desserts. We always go by the La Duree bakery in Paris when we go back. My children are big fans too. I just wished I lived closer to SoCal!
Enjoy!

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Micah Lacsamana July 6, 2010 at 7:45 am

Does Helene Dujardin authored a book about macarons? or would you know where I can find one? thanks!

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