February is Dessert Month at The Gander Bleecker February 4, 2016 Daily, Drink Spots, Featured, Food Types New Pastry Chef at The Gander Vanarin Kuch’s Decadent Desserts Dazzle Chef Jesse Schenker’s new-American restaurant, The Gander welcomes Vanarin Kuch, their newly appointed pastry chef. Food has always played a critical role in Vanarin Kuch’s life—it serves him as a medium for self-expression and ties him to the deep roots of his family. After graduating with honors from The Art Institute of Houston, Kuch quickly rose to become the pastry chef at Tiny Boxwoods in Houston. He was nominated for a Rising Star Pastry Award from Star Chefs Magazine in 2011, participated in Top Chef Just Desserts Season 2, and was nominated for Best New Pastry Chef by Food & Wine Magazine in 2012. Kuch recently competed on the Food Network’s show Chopped. During the month of February, The Gander will feature weekly rotating flights of desserts inspired by – you guessed it LOVE. We were recently invited to a tasting to try some of Kuch’s innovative desserts; some of the desserts were even gluten-free. Sangria Poached Pears Sangria sauce, almond nougatine, almond biscuit and toasted marzipan gelato. Also gluten free. The Hot German Smoked hot cocoa, Devils food cake, German Filling Gelato, dehydrated chocolate Coconut Pavlova Arroz con coco, coconut nougatine, coconut Sorbet, maldon salted-coconut pavlova shell, yuzu froth Chocolate Clutch and Such 62% chocolate pudding, cherry hibiscus “lipstick” gel, macaron compact with hazelnut cremeux, chocolate iPhone with hazelnut praline, cherry sponge, orange blossom-violet perfume (spritz tableside) February is dessert month and here’s a sampling of The Gander’s rotating dessert flight menu: Cheesey Love: Pineapple Sage Sorbet, ghetost mousse, sangria pears, pecorino and cheddar shards Cloud Nine Love: orange blossom cloud, red wine blackberries, rose marzipan gelato Jungle Love: swirl macaron ice cream sandwich, milk chocolate and milk swirl ice cream First Love: Red Thread Coffee Cold Brew café con leche with mochi ice cream The Gander is located at 15 West 18th St. (between 5th Ave. & 6th Ave.) For reservations call (212) 229-9500 or visit http://www.thegandernyc.com.
