The French Laundry

 

 

 

Eighteen year old Louise Boschetti works in the pastry at the RAC club and is also a 2 nd year Professional Patisserie Scholarship student at Westminster Kingsway College . During spring 2007 Louise spent 2 weeks working alongside the APC's very own Claire Clark at the in The French Laundry in Yountville, Napa Valley California .

 

Louise works under APC committee member and head pastry chef Martin Powell at the RAC club under the guidance of executive chef Phil Corrick. Louise also attends Westminster Kingsway College 1 week in every four as part of her training on the 2 year professional patisserie scholarship course. It was Louise's father Nigel Boschetti, executive chef at the Royal Lancaster hotel who suggested Louise should broaden her knowledge and experience by working with Claire

 

.

 

Thomas Keller has been the chef proprietor at The French Laundry since 1994, during 2007 the 75 seated restaurant was awarded 3 Michelin stars and reservations are so popular they have to be made two months in advance! It was also voted 'The Best Restaurant in the World' in 2005.

 

Claire Clark took up the position of pastry chef at the French laundry in September 2005 after she left the Wolseley in Piccadilly. While working at the Claridge's Hotel in London , Claire won the distinction of being the only female recipient of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de la Grande-Bretagne” (MOGB) Claire was also awarded “Best Pastry Chef” for 2005 by the Restaurant Magazine. This autumn Claire published her 1 st book ‘100 Perfect Desserts' and Thomas Keller proudly wrote the forward for it.

 

To work alongside Claire was a dream come true for Louise and she eagerly packed her bags for the 2 week adventure. After a long 11 hour flight to San Francisco , Louise then took a bus to the vineyard strewn Nappa Valley where she was picked up personally by Claire. For the duration of her stay Louise stayed in Claire's cottage situated next to the French laundry itself. On her 1 st day there Louise was whisked away by limo to visit 3 local vineyards for an all day wine tasting session, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

 

 

Although the French Laundry is open 7 days a week Louise work Mon-Fri during her stay, sometimes her early shifts started at 5.30am ! Louise worked alongside Claire for two weeks preparing general mis en place for the sumptuous desserts, cookies, candies & petit fours the restaurant is famous for. Louise commented how smooth the kitchen ran during service in an especially quiet and calm atmosphere.

 

There are 6 chefs in the pastry team at the French laundry covering various shifts throughout the day and night. Louise learnt a lot about the good working methods and exceptional standards that keep the 15 tables in the restaurant fully booked up to 2 months in advance throughout the year. On her last night Louise was privileged to eat in Thomas Keller's office an experience she will never forget.

 

 

 

On her day's off Louise visited the Golden gate bridge in San Francisco and the equally famous ‘ Alcatraz ' to complete her fantastic adventure. Louise was inspired by the whole experience and has an immense respect for Claire her mentor throughout the fortnight, she now has a passion for pastry that will last her a lifetime.

 

 

Louise successfully graduated from Westminster Kingsway College in 2007 and now intends to continue her pursuit for patisserie excellence by undertaking a part time degree course whilst continuing to work full time at the RAC club.