Michael Laiskonis, consulting chef for Garces Group’s pastry and dessert programs, is a New York-based, James Beard award winner and Creative Director of NYC’s Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). He joined ICE in 2012 fresh off of an eight-year tenure as Executive Pastry Chef at the famed Le Bernardin. He has long been one of the industry's most creative and talented chefs, noted for having helped Le Bernardin earn four stars from The New York Times and three Michelin stars. Best known for his use of modern techniques to reinvent classic desserts, he was presented with the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2007. While Laiskonis is best known as a pastry chef, he spent most of the first half of his career on the savory side of the kitchen. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from one of the country’s foremost culinary talents at this special class!