The Art of Lamination

Book excerpt: To build a good house, it must first have a solid foundation! The same principles apply when making laminated pastry products. My book The Art of Lamination is built on a solid knowledge of understanding the recipes, methods, processes and ingredients required to make the finest laminated viennoiserie possible. This book is the culmination of seven years of research, in particular, it was my chosen subject during my masters degree studies. As an international competitor, lecturer, businessman and international jury member, I have witnessed the work of exceptional craftsmen and carefully documented procedures and practices. In my business, I was able to try the latest cutting edge techniques and sell beautiful products to my customers. In my role as a lecturer at TU Dublin, I generated much new class content and took note of the most common problems encountered by students in pastry making and also the questions asked by my students. I identified and documented all the stages of production of laminated pastry and engaged in problem solving for students and bakers during my masterclasses in foreign countries. The result is a clearly explained road map, how to plan and execute perfect pastry. I explain some of the basic lamination systems used in industry with a modern twist, and take the reader through a step by step approach on how to become proficient at making laminated viennoiserie. In my capacity as a jury member at the world championships I have witnessed as close to perfection as is possible to make beautiful products. Many of the more advanced products in the book have been inspired directly by my observations over the past 25 years of competitive baking at the cutting edge of creativity. This book will serve as an essential guide for students, bakers, pastry chefs, home bakers and hobbyists. I include detailed process notes for both commercial bakers using mechanical sheeters and home bakers and students, who want to make laminated pastry at home. I have stripped down the procedures of laminated pastry production to the very basics, building on that knowledge and adding more advanced levels throughout the book. I hope my book will both educate and inspire you, the readers now, and in your future baking.