World-renowned pastry chef teaches Springfield CTC students

Sparks shoot out of the top of a dessert prepared by renowned pastry chef Jan Kish, from Columbus, as she holds a cooking presentation for students in the Culinary Arts program at the CTC Tuesday. Bill Lackey/Staff

Sparks shoot out of the top of a dessert prepared by renowned pastry chef Jan Kish, from Columbus, as she holds a cooking presentation for students in the Culinary Arts program at the CTC Tuesday. Bill Lackey/Staff

A world-renowned pastry chef visited the Springfield-Clark County Career Technology Center last week because of a former student’s connection.

Jan Kish, who owns Jan Kish la petite fleur in Worthington, baked in front of local culinary students Nov. 8 and gave them pointers that they can use in their own cooking.

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Kish is a respected throughout the industry for her 30-year career in baking and has been featured on shows including TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Challenge” and the Food Network’s “Cake Competition,” and has been featured in numerous books and publications.

She baked a cake for the students and showed them what they should focus on when trying to perfect their craft. The instruction can have a big impact on the young chefs, Senior Culinary Instructor David Hay said.

“They sat on her every word, that’s a good thing,” he said. “They got to hear her stories and what she’s done and how she started.”

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The fact that Kish is an Ohio-based chef also makes her story relevant to CTC students, Hay said. Having someone so famous in the cooking world get her start so close to home can inspire students, he said.

“It’s pretty powerful to see someone right down the road living your dream,” he said. “It’s someone from a half hour up the road.”

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Kish was invited to the CTC because of a former student. The student competed in a baking competition that Kish judged and Kish was impressed with her, Hay said. The opportunity for someone as accomplished as Kish to come to the CTC and help students was a special one, Hay said.

“For her to come out and do the demo for the students, we weren’t going to pass it up,” he said.

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