I started to bake when I was a little girl but life turned me around and I ended up attending University; I earned several degrees before I realized that my real vocation was the art of pastry making.
I have had the opportunity to live in Spain, Belgium, France, Colombia, and recently, here in the US. I speak English, Spanish, Dutch and French. All these experiences made my mind wide open to beautiful and a vast variety of customs, flavors, textures, and sometimes even rituals around their own gastronomies.
So, after several courses and a few years working as an amateur baker, I decided to take the plunge and went to study true High-End French and Professional Pastry; Where else? Paris, of course!
I was trained at the exclusive gastronomy school at Ritz in Paris. I was able to enjoy private training with the most sophisticated Pastry Chefs in the world and finished my training with the Ritz Tea Sommelier on Ritz – Paris Tea Service Style.
I loved my time there surrounded by people who shared the same passion and dedication. All the experiences, its people, the smell, the atmosphere; I was so lucky to be able to have the chance at private lessons there with all the amazing staff. Side by side with the most incredible, creative and talented Chefs the world has to offer. Just being there was a dream in itself.
All this hard work was a joy because of all the people around. I love my school with all my heart, and I am so proud of all of them. To me, they are the best in gastronomy, sophistication, elegance, and charm.
I met very interesting people, from monarchy, movie stars to models… I did not learn just pastry, I learn Ritz style pastry and tea service, their values, their way! I believe this is another whole world. One I would like to bring and share with you.
There you can really say… Oh là là!
Andrea Ávila
