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Article: Schooled in experience Va Pensiero's new pastry chef took different route to reach his goal
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- November 14, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2001 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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Pedro Gomez is a pastry chef who knows the value of learning from
experiences--his own and those of the many mentors he has met along
the way.
On one occasion, Gomez recalls baking a less-than-stellar dessert
for Judy Cortino, now chef/owner of the popular Bittersweet in Lake
View. He remains thankful that Cortino required him to redo the
recipe--five times over.
"I'm glad she did it," said Gomez, laughing at the memory. "I have
never forgotten how to make angel food cake."
In an era of diploma-carrying chefs, Gomez is something of an
anomaly. The 35-year-old Gomez came to the United States from his
native Mexico 15 years ago with a love for food but no formal
training.
After securing a ...