Claudia Fleming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claudia Fleming
|
|
|---|---|
Fleming in 2021
|
|
| Born | April 11, 1959 Brentwood, New York, United States
|
| Occupation |
|
| Organization |
|
|
Notable work
|
The Last Course |
| Spouse(s) | Gerry Hayden |
Claudia Fleming is a famous American dessert chef. She was born on April 11, 1959, in Brentwood, New York. She grew up on Long Island, New York.
Claudia first dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. However, she later found her true passion in making delicious desserts. She became a professional dessert chef and wrote a very popular cookbook called The Last Course. Her book is loved by many people and has received great reviews.
You might have seen Claudia Fleming on TV shows like Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Barefoot Contessa, and Top Chef: Just Desserts.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Claudia Fleming was born in 1959 on Long Island, New York. When she was a child, she really wanted to be a ballet dancer. She worked hard at it for many years.
By the time she was 18, Claudia realized that ballet might not be her path. She moved to New York City to try modern dance. To support herself, she started working in restaurants.
Becoming a Chef
One of Claudia's first jobs was as a waiter at Union Square Cafe. The owner, Danny Meyer, was very impressed by her. He said he could feel her warmth and intelligence right away.
Claudia soon moved from waiting tables to cooking in the kitchen. She then found a job as a pastry assistant at Tribeca Grill. She quickly discovered her love for making desserts. Claudia said that once she tried making pastries, she was "hooked."
In 2000, Claudia Fleming won a special award. She received the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Pastry Chef award. This award is a big honor for chefs.
Her Famous Cookbook
Claudia Fleming released her first cookbook, The Last Course, in 2001. At first, the book did not sell very well. This was mainly because it came out right after the events of September 11 attacks.
However, professional chefs and bakers loved the book. It slowly became very popular and gained a loyal following. Bon Appétit magazine even called it "the greatest dessert cookbook in the history of the world."
When the book was no longer being printed, used copies became very expensive. People would pay hundreds of dollars for them online. Because it was so popular, The Last Course was re-released in the fall of 2019.
Claudia's Cooking Style
Claudia Fleming's recipes are known for being special and a bit challenging. Newsday newspaper said her cookbook is great for people who love to bake. Her recipes often have many steps, but they are not too difficult to follow.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted that her recipes are organized by main ingredients. They praised her Guinness Stout Ginger Cake. They said it was fun to make and eat, and very stylish.
Personal Life
In 2001, Claudia Fleming married Gerry Hayden. He was also a professional chef and had been her boss at Tribeca Grill.
In 2005, they moved back to the North Fork area of Long Island. In 2010, they started a food truck together.
