The Passionate Pallet Pleasing Pasticceria!

Review For the Food Networ's Spring Baking Championship Star Damiano Carrara of Carrara Pastries.

Insatiably delectable, undeniably irresistible, unmistakably, contagiously delightfully; words that can only describe the presence of this talented chef; Damiano Carrara. If that wasn’t enough to spark your interest then perhaps the food will. An aroma of freshly baked desserts that filled the cases with a vivid array of prismatic colors and enough choices to quench any pallet; instantly I was hooked! From their signature delight, Torta Della Nonna, Tiramisu, cheese cakes, chocolate delicacies, cakes of all occasions, and tarts. To the cheese platters and pasta dishes that bring any Italian right back home! And let’s not forget their homemade Gelato, …. yes I said homemade Gelato! Even Macchiato, Affogato, Rocchetta, and Caffe Shakerato, translated in English; those are some pretty awesome Italian beverages! But I’m getting ahead of myself; let me give you a little background on this lovely little discovery called Carrara Pastries. Some of you may be familiar with Damiano from his television debut on the Food Network’s series “Spring Baking Championship” which premiered this past April, 2015. Runner up, though a winner still to all those who know him, Damiano decorated the taste buds of the audience and judges with his more than impressive talent and smile that continues to warm the hearts of all he encounters. Carrara Pastries was founded by both Damiano and his brother Massimiliano, in Moorpark, CA, after they uprooted from their Tuscan town of Lucca, Italy in 2009. Soon after a second location was opened in Agoura Hills, CA. So, once I found out they were holding a baking class, well, how could I resist? I grabbed my camera, note pad, and pen to take notes, and made the forty minute trek down the 101 highway; ready to get baking! Walking in, I was greeted by a lovely staff, his father, otherwise referred to as Papà Carrara, and Damiano himself; rushing to prep for the second class of the day, though that didn’t prevent him from a pause and a warm welcome. So I took my seat in the front row, and one by one they entered. All ages, men and women both, ready to experience firsthand what we’ve seen on TV, a little taste of Damiano; his pastries that is. With ease the baking began. First, his favorite, and Spring Baking Championship’s judge, star baker of television series Ace of Cakes, and owner of Charm City Cakes; Duff Goldman’s favorite of Damiano’s many phenomenal creations: Torta Della Nonna. Humor rolled through, with a small pun comparing American recipe format and that from Italy. Damiano explains, “The American version is so backwards!” “Here in America, first we need to see the ingredients, gather them, then read the directions; where we may or may not realize that our attempt at doing so would be possible.” “In Italy,” he says, “First we read the directions, decide if we are capable, then gather what we need to do so!” We all shared a laugh of agreement over the obvious absurdity, and how much more sense it would be to read the directions first! How American of us to NOT read the directions! Let the cooking commence! Soon the Tiramisu would be the next to graze our lips. Oh, Yum to the tenth degree! My stomach was doing a happy dance, and I am sure I wasn’t alone in that satisfying moment; as an array of “Mmmmmm’s”echoed like a harmonized choir. Yes, we were enjoying our Italian revere. Finally the Frittata provoked a couple laughs with the addition of his lovely father adding a couple antagonizing comments in Italian, in regards to the odds not being in Damiano’s favor as he was about to flip the Egg-a-licious monstrosity! Near success; though I think we would have still applauded if it completely landed on the floor! Luckily for Damiano, that didn’t happen! What an informative, and extremely tasty experience that I, a now Los Angelean transfer from the great state of New York, would highly recommend to not only the natives to California and surrounding, yet any and all planning their next west coast vacation trip. By this time next year, the question of “Who is Damiano Carrara?” should be a phrase long forgotten. I give not only him, but his brother Maxamilliano, Papà Carrara, and entire staff my complete seal of approval and commandment! Bravo to Carrara Pastries, I wish you nothing but success in the future! I’m enjoying my tiny treasure filled chest of take home’s until the next time I visit. I heard the Bolognese sauce was amazing, save some for me please! Buon Appetito, I definitely did!

Carrara Pastries

476 W. LA ave, Moorpark, CA 93021

28914 roadside drive, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

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