302945 Fri Feb 17 19:39:23 -0800 2006 5 29 Not About Food 0 1699787 My good friend was just accepted into the pastry arts program at L'Academie de Cuisine in D.C. I would like to get her a "congratulations" present in the range of $30. Any good ideas for an aspiring pastry chef? Thanks! Fri Feb 17 19:39:23 -0800 2006 0 JeanSuton 1 1699788 Blowtorch? Fri Feb 17 19:54:18 -0800 2006 1699787 0 Pupster 2 1699799 Were I in the enviable position of entering a pastry chef program, I could not imagine receiving a gift with more "flare" than a blowtorch! Not a frou frou blowtorch from Williams-Sonoma, but a real high power blowtorch from a hardware store. You'll get way more power for your buck, and if you've noticed what they use in a restaurant it's actually about a foot and a half tall and packs quite a flame. Best to call the school and see if they can point you toward one that will make the classmates jealous. Sat Feb 18 00:54:59 -0800 2006 1699788 0 nooodles 3 1699805 Ask for the "Blue-Torch Special"! Sat Feb 18 11:01:28 -0800 2006 1699799 0 JBC 1 1699793 A couple of sets of cutters, round and oval or square, maybe one fluted and one plain. Straight and offset spatulas in various sizes. Long thin cake-slicing knife. Silpats. Set of decorating tips and a couple of pastry bags. Half sheet pans. Ring molds (entremet molds or flan rings). Gift certificate to jbprince. Fri Feb 17 21:01:54 -0800 2006 1699787 0 babette feasts 1 1699819 Some Silpat. Mon Feb 20 16:49:23 -0800 2006 1699787 0 Tugboat