Adam Ross, pastry chef at Deadhorse Hill
"It's always a good idea to start simple, especially if you're just starting out or trying something new for the first time. That being said, don't limit yourself or think there's a recipe or technique you cannot accomplish at home! Regardless of the technical difficulty of the recipe, whether you're trying to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie or attempting lamination, always take notes on what you're making, how you're going about making it, and what you liked or didn't like about the finished product. Failures in baking are all but guaranteed; it's what you learn from failing that will really help you excel."
Ben Dorn, pastry chef at Saltbox Kitchen
"Invest in a scale. It may take a few minutes to convert ingredient amounts from volume measurements to weights, but you will only have to do this once for each ingredient. As you use different ingredients, you will continue to build this reference tool. Not only will this yield more consistent results, it will make clean up easier."
Chris Mendonca, chef at Granary Tavern
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"Use a cheese grater for biscuits — use frozen butter and grate into the flour. Flaky deliciousness."
Christina Allen-Flores, executive pastry chef at ArtBar and Studio at the Royal Sonesta
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"Watch the Food Network shows; read cooking magazines and cookbooks; try not to limit yourself to one chef, author, or subscription. If something doesn’t come out right the first time, don't get discouraged. With every mistake, there is opportunity to learn; sometimes the mistakes come out better than the original product."
Doug Phillips, executive pastry chef at Woods Hill Table
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"Start by buying a good quality kitchen scale. This is the professionals' number one tool for precise recipes. Skipping the cups and tablespoons to use a scale will not only make less to clean up, but it is much easier to replicate and give others your recipes."
Jenn Harvey, bar manager at Temple Bar (formerly a pastry chef at Stix)
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"Advice that I really need to heed myself is to make sure you have all your mis en place in place and to clean as you go. There's nothing more disheartening than getting halfway through a recipe just to realize you're just a little shy on flour/sugar/milk. And trust me, the recipe won’t work the same without the right amounts. Cleaning as you go just means you can enjoy your treats right away when you’re done instead of having a mountain of dishes to clean! Other tips: You don’t need every little kitchen tool that stores sell. It'll just clutter your drawers and cabinets, collecting dust. And my favorite Pinterest-type tip? When I make things like chocolate chip cookies, I'll double the recipes and scoop/form half the dough, freeze it on a tray, then stick it in Tupperware. That way, when all my fresh cookies are long gone and I just want one, I can take out one of the scoops of cookie dough and pop it in the toaster oven (or two, or three, or just eat it raw — who am I kidding?)"
Kate Holowchik, pastry chef at The Townshend
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"Home chefs should learn the basics before getting super fancy. Learn to make a basic pastry cream, a basic pie crust, and then progress with similar recipes that use similar techniques so that you can start understanding how connected processes are. Also, keep reading and researching. There is so much amazing information available now."
Katie Gordon, pastry chef at Trade
"Know your own oven. Know its hot spots, and really get to know how it bakes. I learned this the hard way one Christmas baking two cakes at the same time — one was perfect, the other under-cooked, because my oven didn't heat evenly. Also, mixing properly with a spatula: be sure to get everything from the sides of the bowl when mixing."
Kevin Walsh, chef/owner of Tapestry
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"Try making a meringue. It's impressive but very easy."
Laura Campagna, former pastry cook at Tamo Bistro & Bar
"I would suggest buying professional tools. A digital scale to weigh ingredients vs. measuring cups and silpats would be my two suggestions."
Lauren Kroesser, pastry chef at Island Creek Oyster Bar
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"My tip for home bakers trying to up their game would be to think about the finishing touches that can make homemade desserts special. If you're making brownies, top them with a shiny (and easy!) dark chocolate glaze and toasted coconut, or cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans. Use a very hot knife to cut perfect squares and plate them on a nice platter, evenly spaced out. A couple other examples are using a piping tip instead of a butter knife to frost cupcakes and adding sprinkles or shaved chocolate as a topping. Sometimes just one extra touch will turn the same cupcake or brownie recipe into something magnificent and professional."
Lilah Rogoff, pastry chef at Catalyst
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"Buy a scale. The amount of flour in a cup can vary greatly based on how much it is packed in. Weighing in metrics is way more precise, and it’s easy too! You don’t have to bend down and stare at your measuring cup and try to figure out if your sugar is level."
Marissa Rossi, executive pastry chef at Puritan & Co.
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"Don't take shortcuts; it's not worth it in the end! More often than not, the end product ends up in the garbage because it's sub-par or totally ruined. When I was a pastry cook, I tried to take shortcuts; I always had to throw the product out and start over."
Meghan Thompson, pastry chef at Townsman
"Have a game plan! Most desserts have several components and can be made in stages, or over a week's time. That way, the day of a family holiday or get-together, all you have to do is assemble or bake and put finishing touches on!"
Michelle Boland, pastry chef at Davio's Lynnfield
"If home bakers are trying to up their game, I would suggest using any recipe as more of a guide than something set in stone — doing some research on different substitutions, flavors, and potential mix-ins could help create something awesome!"
Rachel Gibeley, pastry chef at Rosebud American Kitchen and Bar
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"Don't be afraid to try something new. Look for a technique that's familiar but has an ingredient that you've never used before. Or vice versa — try a new technique with familiar ingredients. Take your time, and read the recipe twice through before beginning."
Rae Murphy, pastry chef at Porto
"Always use a kitchen scale. Scaling recipes is a great way to learn how ingredients work in proportion with one another, and it makes comparing and combining recipes a breeze."
Robert Differ, pastry chef at Bar Boulud
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"Invest in professional tools and equipment. I would highly suggest a French-style wooden rolling pin as you have more control and can really feel and work your ingredients during preparation."
Robert Gonzalez, pastry chef at Bistro du Midi
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"Having the proper equipment to get the job done. Baking is very technical, and any slight variations can affect your outcome tremendously. That goes from measuring to using the proper equipment to bake and/or cook your delicious goodies."
Shawn Dresser, pastry chef at Boston Harbor Hotel
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"Keep it simple. Try to master your technique over glitz."
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