Bittersweet Pastry Shop's Judy Contino Announces New Managing Partners

Chef Mindy Gohr and Esther Griego to assume management of Chicago landmark

Gohr and Griego will continue to serve Bittersweet's fiercely loyal customer base with their longstanding popular pastries while also introducing some new and exciting creations.

Judy Contino, 2015 James Beard Outstanding Baker Award nominee and founder of Bittersweet Pastry Shop, today announced the addition of new managing partners Mindy Gohr and Esther Griego. Gohr and Griego will assume the responsibility for all day-to-day operations at Bittersweet, while Contino will remain as a partner and guiding influence on the pastry shop.

"I couldn't be more excited to pass the torch to these two incredibly talented women," Contino said. "I am confident that with their enthusiasm and passion, Mindy and Esther will ensure that Bittersweet's quality and consistency endures for generations to come."

Mindy Gohr began her career at Bittersweet in 2005 under Contino's tutelage, and has been the pastry chef since 2011. Known for her distinctive and unique cake designs, Gohr will continue to uphold the quality and long tradition of excellence for which the pastry shop is known. Esther Griego, who is Contino's niece, brings more than 12 years of experience in marketing, management and hospitality to the role. Griego will focus on enhancing Bittersweet's retail operations, expanding the pastry shop's cafe offerings, and developing the brand's regional and digital presence.

"I'm incredibly grateful for all that Judy has taught me over the past decade," Gohr said.  "She's helped to shape me as a chef, and I look forward to applying everything I've learned when creating new and delicious pastries for our patrons."

Bittersweet Pastry Shop has been a beloved institution in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood for nearly 25 years. Gohr and Griego will continue to serve Bittersweet's fiercely loyal customer base with their longstanding popular pastries while also introducing some new and exciting creations.

About Bittersweet Pastry ShopLocated at 1114 West Belmont Avenue, Bittersweet is Chicago's premier European-style pastry shop and cafe, serving extraordinary confections and custom-built cakes for every occasion. Founded by award-winning pastry chef Judy Contino in 1992, Bittersweet sets the standard for fine pastries in Chicago. Find us on Facebook.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150910/265248 

Hot Potatoes at Delightful Pastries: August 19 is National Hot and Spicy Foods Day and National Potato Day

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The August heat is not the only reason why things are hot at Delightful Pastries. August 19 is National Hot and Spicy Food Day as well as National Potato Day. Delightful Pastries is all geared up to help show Chicago how they make things spicy and keep you guessing with their unique potato dishes.

Delightful Pastries adds spice and flavor to their sandwiches with three of their homemade and flavorful sauces. The original sauce options include a Japanese inspired sauce (included with selected sandwiches), made with teriyaki and mayo. Thai Cowboy Sauce (included with select sandwiches), is made with buttermilk ranch and homemade sriracha. What the Puck sauce (included with select sandwiches), is a homemade barbecue sauce with ghost chili pepper and bourbon. These sauces are sure to add a kick to your sandwich and leave you trying to imagine how you enjoyed a sandwich without them ever before.

Potato lovers have never met a potato dish they did not like. Delightful Pastries is ready to serve you a potato dish unlike anything you have ever tried. If you are looking for something different, try Delightful Pastries' Pierogi ($6 for 4, $8 for 6) a traditional Polish dumpling served with the perfect combination of potato and cheese.
Potatoes slip seamlessly into the breakfast scene at Delightful Pastries. The British Mob ($9.95) features pan-fried potatoes, served with braised beans and blood sausage. The equally crisp and fluffy hash browns (included with breakfast items) are the perfect side to any breakfast dish.

Whether you are celebrating National Hot and Spicy Foods Day or National Potato Day, or even a bit of both, August 19 is a great day to visit Delightful Pastries.

Delightful Pastries' mastery of flavor is clear in all their bakery and café items. See for yourself at any of Delightful Pastries' three Chicago locations: Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., (312) 255-0724; Jefferson Park at 5927 W. Lawrence, (773) 545-7215, and Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton, (312) 234-9644. Visit www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Delightful Pastries Celebrates National "Brownie at Brunch" Month with a Decadent Chocoholic Brunch this August

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Many of us believe that chocolate makes everything better. Delightful Pastries clearly agrees, which is why they are celebrating National "Brownie at Brunch" Month with a decadent brunch this August. At Delightful Pastries Old Town Café and Store (1710 N. Wells St) you can pair your delicious savory brunch with a rich chocolate brownie-one of Delightful Pastries most popular items.

Delightful Pastries' Brunch, served from opening at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Fr iday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, features house specials that you are sure to enjoy, such as Bacon, Bacon Yum ($9.95), scrambled eggs with ham, two strips of bacon and one slice of extra thick cut bacon; or the many varieties of omelets, such as the Backwoods ($9.95), prepared with sautéed local mushrooms, green onions, Swiss cheese, bourbon, beet horseradish sour cream sauce. Another favorite brunch treat is the Carrot Cake Pancake (8.95), three spiced pancakes baked with carrots, pineapple, vanilla bean extract and layers of cream cheese.

While it's difficult to pace yourself with such delicious brunch options, be sure to save room for a chocolate dessert. Delightful Pastries boasts a divine selection of brownies, including Fudge Walnut Brownies ($3-$3.50), Pecan Praline Brownies ($3-$3.50), Cream Cheese Brownie ($2.50-$3.50), Triple Decker Peanut Butter Brownie ($3-$3.50) and Paradise Brownies ($2.50-$3.50). With so many delicious brunch and brownie options, you will be able to justify many trips back to try them all.

Delightful Pastries Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., (312) 255-0724, offers selections off bakery and café items, perfect for matching your mood, whether sweet or savory.  Visit www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Time to Spice Up Your Sandwich. Delightful Pastries Introduces Three New Sauces

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As if Delightful Pastries’ sandwiches were not enticing enough already, now they have gotten even better with three new sauces. Make each bite of your sandwich even more delectable with Garlic Aioli, Thai Cowboy (Buttermilk, Ranch, and Sriracha Sauce) and Mustard Worcestershire Sauces. All are available now at the Chicago French Market location, 131 N. Clinton, (312) 234-9644 and at the Delightful Pastries Cafe in Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., (312) 255-0724, amongst other savory and sweet goodies found at Delightful Pastries. Visit http://www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Pick Up Father’s Day Goodies at Delightful Pastries

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Make sure to feed Dad’s sweet tooth craving on Father’s Day, June 15, by heading to Delightful Pastries. Get a Brownie Tray ($25, choose from an assortment of flavors) so the whole family can enjoy a treat, too. Delightful Pastries’ Veggie or Lamb Quiche ($42-$58) are tempting enough to prove real men DO eat quiche. Be sure to pick up any of Dad’s favorite treats, whether it is cookies or cakes, at any of the Delightful Pastries locations, Jefferson Park, Old Town and Chicago French Market. Visit http://www.delightfulpastries.com for more ideas.

Let them eat cake….German Chocolate Cake. Come celebrate National German Chocolate Cake Day on June 11 at Delightful Pastrie

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It may be the French Queen Marie Antoinette who said “Let them eat cake,” but you’ll be thanking the Germans when you try Delightful Pastries’ German Chocolate Cake ($42/8-inch; $5.25/slice). From the kitchen of Delightful Pastries emerges a tried and true recipe that will satisfy all chocolate lovers’ cravings. Made with a perfect combination of a moist pecan and coconut filling and chocolate butter cream, you will not want to miss out on this special cake. Whether you pick up a cake to share with others, or choose a German Chocolate Cake Cupcake ($2.49-3.00) for your own delicious consumption, make sure you get your hands on this rich treat on June 11. 

The German Chocolate Cake, as well as other baked from scratch cakes and pastries, can be found at all three Delightful Pastries locations: Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., (312) 255-0724; Jefferson Park at 5927 W. Lawrence, (773) 545-7215, and Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton, (312) 234-9644. Visit http://www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Celebrate National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day Tomorrow (June 8) at Delightful Pastries

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Many of us could celebrate doughnut day every day, but June 8 is THE day to eat a doughnut, as it is Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day. Delightful Pastries has doughnuts filled with jelly every way you could imagine. Paczki doughnuts ($2-2.50) are a must have for any doughnut lover, filled with the assorted flavors of plum jelly, raspberry jelly and custard. If you need something to help kick start your day, try the boozy versions of the Paczki ($3.25), filled with whiskey, moonshine or vodka; they are a sure way make your day a little more memorable. 

If a liquor filled doughnut is a bit too adventurous, instead go for Delightful Pastries’ masterful Danish ($2.50), an all-butter sweet dough filled with cherries, cheese, apricot, apple or raspberry or try a Blueberry Turnover ($1.70), a flaky puff pastry with Michigan blueberries. 

And while you’re at it, enjoy yourself as you browse the wide range of breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, brownies and savory delights that have made Delightful Pastries one of the most beloved bakeries in the Chicago area.

The Jelly-Filled Doughnuts and other pastry and dessert items can be found at all three Delightful Pastries locations: Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., (312) 255-0724; Jefferson Park at 5927 W. Lawrence, (773) 545-7215, and Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton, (312) 234-9644. Visit http://www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Delightful Pastries Caters to Mom

Three Chicago Area Locations Old Town 1720 N. Wells, 312-255-0724 Jefferson Park 5727 W. Lawrence, 773-545-7215 Chicago French Market 121 N. Clinton - 312-234-9644 Mother's Day is one of the busiest restaurant holidays. Why not considering surprising Mom with a beautiful catered brunch at home? Delightful Pastries recommends treating Mom and the family with their delicious tray of Quiche Bites, the perfect solution to groups with varying tastes. Choose from Frittata, Gruyere and Ham; Potato; Lamb and Spinach pie, or Vegan with Mushroom. Trays feature 18 pieces and can be ordered in any combination for $42 per tray. All Quiches and Frittata serves 8-10 people for $42 each.      Vegetable Quiche Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, leeks and onions, mixed with Swiss cheese and filled in a French pastry crust.      Ham & Swiss Quiche Creamy quiche filled with cubes of Krakus ham and Swiss cheese.     Leek and Gruyere Quiche Local leeks sautéed until tender, mixed with Gruyere and topped with custard in a French pastry crust.     Spinach Lamb Pie Layers of delicious lamb filling, topped with spinach and béchamel sauce in a French pastry crust.     Frittata Potato, caramelized onion, zucchini, yellow pepper, fresh herbs and Fontina cheese.   Throw a Mother's Day Dessert Bash Start a new Mother's Day tradition at home and throw a Mother's Day Dessert Bash. Delightful Pastries makes it easy. Their beautiful desserts are perfect for showing Mom how sweet she is. This year, Delightful Pastries will be featuring Mousse Hearts ($4 each or 2 for $6), loaded with passion fruit mousse or chocolate mousse, and Mother's Day Spring Cakes ($30) with either raspberry jam or apricot jam and finished with swirls of luscious buttercream. Can't decide? The Delightful tray of mini pastries ($40/small, 25-30 pieces; $80/large, 55-60 pieces) is for you. You don't have to choose, trays come with everything: tiramisu, chocolate mousse cups, fruit tarts, cannoli, éclairs, ganache tarts, key lime pies, lemon curd blueberry tart, boozy coconut macaroons, German chocolate cake, black forest torte and berry compote mousse cup. If you or Mom are gluten intolerant, don't worry. Delightful Pastries offers an array of Gluten-Free Mini Pastries (30 pieces for $30). Pick up a tray featuring chocolate mousse berry cups, lemon mousse topped with blueberries, strawberry custard trifle, caramel panna cotta, raspberry mousse cups, praline truffles, passion fruit truffles, and French macarons in assorted flavors.

Delightful Pastries Sweet and Savory for Your Easter Table

           

Whether sweet or savory, Delightful Pastries has delicious treats in store for Spring and the Easter holiday season.
  

While you may think of Delightful Pastries for its sweet offerings, don't forget that they offer a  complete selection of savories and homemade breads. Create a memorable Easter brunch by starting off with Delightful Pastries' delicious Lamb & Spinach Pie with organic lamb, spinach and a cheese béchamel sauce, serving 12-14 people. Their Veggie Quiche with French pastry filled with leeks, spinach, m ushroom, onion and Swiss cheese is another great choice for your brunch menu.

  

 

 

 

  Chef Dobra Bielinski suggests adding a White Borsht Soup and a Fresh Sausage and Polish salad with organic arugula, roasted butternut squash, roasted local beets from Genesis Growers, oranges, spiced walnuts with house made mustard vinaigrette to your menu. Accompany the meal with a variety of breads such as Seeded Sourdough-a healthy delicious eggless bread with no dairy, sugar or yeast. It's a great vegan selection. In fact, Delightful Pastries offers a number of vegan offerings including their special Pecan Cranberry Sourdough, a whole wheat bread studded with dried cranberries and pecans and Holiday Bread with pecans, dried cherries, raisin, dried cranberries, candied orange peel and currants. 

  

On the sweet side, Delightful Pastries specials include Pound Cake finished with buttercream or powdered sugar, and an array of beautifully decorated and tasty sugar cookies in adorable shapes including bunny rabbits, carrots, flowers, and butterflies topped with icing and spring decorations. Delightful Pastries' Mocha Chocolate Bundt Cake, Rum & Raisin Babka and Chocolate Babka also make a perfect hostess gift or serving centerpiece for your own holiday table. 
  

Easter specials are available at all three Delightful Pastries locations: Old Town at 1710 N. Wells St., (312) 255-0724; Jefferson Park at 5927 W. Lawrence, (773) 545-7215, and Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton, (312) 234-9644. Visit http://www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Celebrate National Sponge Cake Day August 23 at Delightful Pastries

One might ask who thinks of these crazy food holidays but for fans of sponge cake, August 23 is cause to celebrate. Sponge cake is the perfect dessert to enjoy at the end of a warm summer day. It is light and fluffy and has just enough sweetness to cleanse the palate after a meal.

While traditional sponge cake recipes call for three very basic ingredients: sugar, eggs, and flour, perfecting the sponge cake is more difficult than one may imagine. According to Dobra Bielinsky, chef/partner of Chicago's Delightful Pastries, the key to the perfect sponge cake is in the technique. "The batter must be beaten thoroughly in order to create volume," she says.

Did you know that sponge cake is actually one of the oldest and simplest forms of cake? Recipes for it date back as far as 1615. Variations on the theme of a cake lifted, partially or wholly, by trapped air in the batter exist in most places where European patisserie has spread, including the French Génoise, the Portuguese pão-de-ló, the Anglo-Jewish "plava" and the possibly ancestral Italian pan di Spagna ("Spanish bread").

 Our favorite at Delightful Pastries is the Berry Decadent Sponge Cake ($5.25/slice; $42/8 inch, serving up to 12 people) - deliciously moist, tender, spongy, open-grained cake topped with butter cream and berries.

To celebrate National Sponge Cake Day, stop by one of their three locations to enjoy a slice or take on home to share with the family. Delightful Pastries is located at the Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton Ave., Chicago; 312-234-9644), Old Town (1710 N. Wells St., Chicago; 312-255-0724), or Jefferson Park (5927 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago; 773-545-7215).