Sébastien Canonne Explained

Sébastien Canonne
Birth Place:Normandy, France
Style:French
Education:Culinary School of Rouen
Spouse:Vadri Carolina Vasquez Canonne
Children:4
Prevrests:Pré Catelan (Paris, France)
Côte Saint Jacques (Joigny, France)
Beau-Rivage Palace (Geneva, Switzerland)
Euler Palace Hotel (Basel, Switzerland)
Palais de l'Elysée (Paris)
Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Chicago, IL)
Awards:Meilleur Ouvrier de France, 2004
Order of Academic Palms, 2012
Knight, Order of Legion of Honour, 2015

Sébastien Canonne MOF (born 1968)[1] is a French pastry chef and co-founder of the French Pastry School in Chicago, the Butter Book online platform, and EQUII. In 2004, he earned the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. In 2012, he was named a knight by the French government in the Order of Academic Palms, and in 2015, in the National Order of the Legion of Honour.[2]

Early life and education

Canonne was born and raised in Normandy, France.[3] His training began at the Culinary School of Rouen in Normandy when he was 15.[4] He had a culinary apprenticeship at the School of Hospitality and Hotel Management in Rouen, Normandy, followed by a pastry apprenticeship under chef Gaston Lenôtre.[3] [5]

Career

Canonne has worked at a variety of fine-dining restaurants and luxury hotels, including three-star Michelin restaurants; the Pré Catelan in Paris and the Côte Saint Jacques in Burgundy, France; the Beau-Rivage Palace in Geneva; the Euler Palace Hotel in Basel, Switzerland; and the Palais de l'Elysée in Paris for French president François Mitterrand.[4] [5] He moved to the United States in 1991, becoming the executive pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago.[6]

In 2004, Canonne earned the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the highest distinction for an artisan in France. The title is determined through a contest held once every three to four years.[2] He was the first pastry chef living in the United States to be awarded the honor.[7]

From 1995 to 2020, chefs Sébastien Canonne and fellow master pastry chef Jacquy Pfeiffer founded and operated the French Pastry School in Chicago, Illinois, a vocational secondary school to teach traditional French pastry making.[7] It was the only school in the United States dedicated entirely to the art of pastry.[8] [9]

In 2012, Canonne was knighted in the Order of the Academic Palms, recognizing outstanding merit and contributions in education.

In 2015, Canonne was knighted in the Order of the Legion of Honour, recognizing outstanding merit and contributions to French culture.[2]

In 2020, Cannone launched an online video series of classes called The Butter Book.[10] [11] In 2021, Canonne launched with Bridor, “The Pains Cuisinés”.[12] [13] [14] In 2022, Canonne and several partners co-founded EQUII, a food technology company.[15] The company produces high-protein, low-carbohydrate flour.[16] [17]

Film and television appearances

Canonne is featured in the 2009 documentary film Kings of Pastry, directed by D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, which documented Jacquy Pfeiffer's attempt to earn the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France.[2] Canonne served as Pfeiffer's coach in the competition.[18]

Canonne was a mentor and judge on season 2 of in 2011.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Virginia Gerst, "Crème of the crop," Chicago Tribune, June 1, 2005.
  2. Janet Rausa Fuller, "Chicago Pastry Chef Sebastien Canonne Wins France's Top Award," DNAinfo Chicago, September 15, 2015.
  3. Erik Unger, "Sebastien Canonne," Crain's Chicago Business, November 3, 2007.
  4. William Rice, "Prince Of Pastry," Chicago Tribune, June 11, 1995.
  5. http://www.dessertprofessional.com/index.php/top-ten-chefs/top-10-pastry-chefs-of-2015#SébastienCanonne "Dessert Professional’s Top Ten Pastry Chefs in North America 2015,"
  6. Rick Bayless, "The Honor Roll," Chicago Tribune, October 18, 2000.
  7. Ben Goldberger, "New Chef Will Help Pastry Level to Rise," New York Times, February 6, 2010.
  8. http://cookingschools.com/resources/an-interview-with-pastry-chef-jacquy-pfeiffer/ "An Interview with Pastry Chef Jacquy Pfeiffer,"
  9. Linda Avery, "The Art of French Pastry," WITF-FM, April 30, 2014.
  10. Web site: The Butter Book . The Butter Book . 27 September 2023.
  11. News: Erling . Jan . May 7, 2023 . 5 Best Online Baking & Pastry Arts Classes for 2023 . Kitchen Business . 27 September 2023.
  12. Web site: https://boulangeriecuisinee.com/ . Boulangerie Cuisine . 3 November 2023.
  13. News: Dereuder . Amelie . https://www.processalimentaire.com/ingredients/les-laureats-des-innovation-awards-2021-du-sirha-lyon Les lauréats des Innovation Awards 2021 du Sirha Lyon . 3 November 2023 . Deli Market News . September 20, 2021.
  14. News: Amick . Brian . Bridor launches new bread line in collaboration with chef Sébastien Canonne . 3 November 2023 . Bake Magazine . June 25, 2021.
  15. Web site: EQUII About Us . EQUII . 27 September 2023.
  16. News: Watson . Elaine . Equii raises $6M to scale up fermented grains platform: 'Disrupting the staples category is our goal' . 27 September 2023 . Food Navigator USA . September 30, 2022.
  17. Web site: Franks . Julie . National Restaurant Association Show® Announces Record Number of FABI Awardees . National Restaurant Show . 3 November 2023.
  18. Loren King, "Eat, pray, love? No, bake, pray, be filmed," Boston Globe, September 19, 2010.
  19. Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff, "Top Chef Just Desserts, Season 2, Episode 10: The Finale," Eater.com, October 27, 2011.