For those of you that don’t know John Placko, he is a well-trained chef that spent most of his time in the research and development department for various food corporations developing recipes. He has also competed at the Bocuse d’Or and dined at some of the best restaurants in the world, El Bulli, Mugaritz, El Celler de Roca, Noma, just to name a few. His most recent job was being the director of culinary excellence at Maple Leaf Foods’ THINKFOOD before venturing off and opening his own Modern Culinary Academy. He was recently featured with his new line of ingredients on Global TV’s 16 x 9 show along with Nathan Myhrvold, the author of Modernist Cuisine.
His passion now lies within molecular cuisine where his goal is to educate chefs, pastry chefs and foodies about the emerging trends of modernist cuisine. From carrageenan to xanthum gum, part of his job now is to run molecular workshops explaining what these ingredients do and how you can incorporate them onto plates.
John going over the recipes with everyone
Royce making melon caviar
John and Judie demonstrating modern techniques to participants
Michelle making the raspberry and coconut shells with liquid nitrogen
Michelle making white chocolate stones
Michelle making ice cream pearls with liquid nitrogen
John dispensing a sous vide meringue through a ISI siphon
John Placko making ice cream with liquid nitrogen
An offering of modern techniques (raspberry niblets, compressed watermelon, white chocolate and passion fruit stones, liquid nitrogen ice cream)
For a photo of John’s plating: http://t.co/XCRYLYwNnZ
John cutting yogurt sheets
Royce cutting the pliable chocolate, and rolling them into chocolate scrolls.
John Placko and Royce Li posing for the camera
John Placko (MCA), Michelle Raqueno (Insauga), Royce Li (78 Degrees)
John just launched his new website, http://www.powderfortexture.com. You will be able to source hard-to-find modern culinary ingredients in convenient sizes by clicking on the link here. Powder for Texture ingredients can also be found in retail at Nella Cucina, Nella Mississauga and Willow Cakes and Pastries.
For those of you that are interested in an hands-on experience, check out the upcoming workshops in your local area by visiting the Modern Culinary Academy calendar page here.
Smoothies & Sundaes 