Jeff Houck

The Tampa Tribune’s food writer since 2005, Jeff Houck covers the way people live through their food. He also hosts the Table Conversations food podcast and believes that everything crunchy is good.

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Cooking In Memory Of Jerome [Chefs Come Together For ‘A Night Of Extreme Taste’]

Posted Nov 19, 2009 by Jeff Houck

Updated Nov 19, 2009 at 07:01 PM

Unless you ate or worked at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Washington, D.C., you probably have never heard of Jérôme Girardot. The respected pastry chef was known for his quiet nature and his ability to turn chocolate into art. Former co-workers remember him saying that, “Anything you can see or imagine I can create in chocolate.” Monuments. Fifty-inch-tall Easter eggs. Anything.

Girardot was born in northeastern France and began learning about pastry as a young boy. Eventually specializing in chocolate, his career led him to the Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas and later to the Ritz in Washington, D.C.

In February, Girardot, 32, was found dead at a park in the west side of Alexandria, Va. The state medical examiner declared his death a suicide, according to Washington City Paper.

To honor their friend and colleague, two dozen chefs and food celebrities will come together on Dec. 3 in Orlando for‘ A Night of Extreme Taste’ at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. (Two more events in Chicago and Washington, D.C., are planned.) Proceeds will go to The Jerome Girardot Fund established to support his children, Noah, 5, and Luc, 3.

During the event, guests will be served the signature dishes of 12 noted savory chefs at individual stations as well as pairings of fine wines and spirits. Fittingly, 12 pastry chefs will collaborate to create a grand dessert buffet. All guests will receive a box of chocolate truffles created for the event by four celebrated chocolatiers, including Norman Love.

Participating in the meal will be Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes” star Geoff Manthorn; “Food Network Challenge” host Keegan Gerhard; Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’ contestants Jeff McInnis and Mike Voltaggio; Norman Van Aken; Melissa Kelly; and two-time world pastry champion and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin executive pastry chef Laurent Branlard.

Tickets are $95 per person. For more information or to purchase, go online to www.jeromegirardotfund.com