Getting Our Just Desserts, coming in November

The inaugural Getting Our Just Desserts sweets extravaganza takes place next month at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California in Santa Monica. On Saturday, Nov. 17, celebrity pastry chefs, confectioners, bakers and sweets vendors (along with coffee and tea purveyors) will be serving dessert tastings, headlined by Spago Beverly Hills executive pastry chef Sherry Yard.

Among those who will be contributing to tasting stations, demonstrations and classes are Duff Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes; Donald Wressell, pastry chef for Guittard Chocolate Co.; Alice Medrich, “the first lady of chocolate,” baker and cookbook author; Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW’s “Good Food”; Carlos Enriquez, corporate executive pastry chef of Patina Restaurant Group; chef Jet Tila of the Charleston; Ricardo Zarate of Picca and Mo-Chica; Craig Poirier, pastry chef of MB Post; and chef Josiah Citrin of Mélisse.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) in Los Angeles. C-CAP, a national nonprofit, provides culinary career opportunities and scholarships to at-risk high school students. A “Just Desserts Challenge” will showcase C-CAP graduate chefs, who will compete using a mystery basket of mandatory ingredients.
VIP tickets for early entry (starting at 1 p.m.) and access to all tastings, demonstrations and classes, admission to the “Just Desserts Challenge,” along with a gift bag, are $100 per person in advance ($120 at the door). General admission tickets are $50 in advance ($75 at the door). The event runs from 2 to 5 p.m.

To purchase tickets online: https://ccap-la.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, contact Gloria Barke, (818) 756-1260.

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