Michael Laiskonis

As executive pastry chef of New York's Le Bernardin, Michael Laiskonis was named Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2007 by the James Beard Foundation. His work has also helped the restaurant maintain four stars from The New York Times. More

As executive pastry chef of New York's Le Bernardin, Michael Laiskonis produces delicate desserts that are a flavorful balance of art and science, both contemporary and classic. Awarded Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2007 by the James Beard Foundation, he has also helped the restaurant maintain three stars from the esteemed Michelin Guide and four stars from The New York Times, in which Frank Bruni described the desserts as "sophisticated without being pretentious, multifaceted but not unduly fanciful."

In his five-year tenure as pastry chef at Tribute in Detroit, Pastry Art and Design twice named him one of the "10 Best Pastry Chefs in America." He has been at Le Bernardin since 2004. Eric Ripert, executive chef and co-owner, says, "Michael's sensibilities perfectly complement the Le Bernardin style of light, inventive, and elegant food."

Laiskonis has been featured in print, television, and radio appearances internationally. His consulting projects include an ongoing collaboration with the Ritz Carlton hotels in Grand Cayman, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, as well as work with the National Peanut Board, several pastry shops throughout Japan, and most recently, advisory positions with the Institute of Culinary Education and Starbucks. In 2008, Laiskonis became a featured contributor to Gourmet.com and participated in the launch of the Salon.com food page, and he was a contributor to Britain's Yes Chef! in 2009. He has also joined the ranks of chef-bloggers with two websites documenting his work, mlaiskonis.com and michael-laiskonis.com.
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