Jacques Torres, affectionately known as "Mr. Chocolate", is a renowned master pastry chef and chocolatier who has made a significant impact in the culinary world. As the Dean of Pastry Arts at the International Culinary Center, he is a prominent figure in the community, educating and inspiring the next generation of pastry chefs.
Torres' impressive career has been marked by numerous television appearances, including his role as a judge on Season 4 of Next Great Baker and co-host on the cooking comedy show Nailed It! alongside Nicole Byer. His exceptional skills and expertise have also been recognized through various award ceremonies and talk show appearances.
Born in 1959, Torres began his culinary journey in 1980, when he started working with two-star Michelin chef Jacques Maximin at the Hotel Negresco. During this time, he attended culinary school to earn a Master Pastry Chef degree. Torres then taught pastry courses at a culinary school in Cannes from 1983 to 1986, before moving to the United States in 1986.
In 1988, Torres served as the Corporate Pastry Chef for the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, before joining Le Cirque as Executive Pastry Chef in 1990. He worked at Le Cirque for 11 years, honing his skills and building his reputation as a master pastry chef. In 1993, Torres joined the faculty of the International Culinary Center, where he designed the Classic Pastry Arts Curriculum in 1996 and became the school's Dean of Pastry Arts.
In 2000, Torres left Le Cirque to pursue his passion for chocolate, opening a chocolate factory and retail shop in Brooklyn, New York. Today, there are eight Jacques Torres shops, including one chocolate factory in the Brooklyn Army Terminal and an ice cream shop in Grand Central Terminal.
In addition to his shops, Torres has also opened Choco-Story New York, the city's first chocolate museum, which opened in March 2017. Located in Manhattan, the 5,000-square-foot museum showcases the art and history of chocolate-making, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience. Through his various ventures, Torres continues to share his love and expertise of chocolate with the world, solidifying his reputation as "Mr. Chocolate".
