Pros ? Download our app
INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED Modern American Pastry Buffet class with Chef Adam Thomas, Chef/Owner, Thomas Craft Confections
PASTRY COURSES

Modern American Pastry Buffet

October 27-29, 2026 - 2.5 days

Adam Thomas

Founder, Thomas Craft Confections

@adam.wthomas

Brooklyn, NY

$ 1300 $ 910
30% discount off all classes for north american cercle v members
Interested in participating in the class Have questions ? Email ecolebrooklyn@valrhona.com

Class level: INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED

Rediscover the nostalgic charm of iconic American treats, reinterpreted through the lens of modern pastry innovation. This immersive class explores how contemporary techniques and cutting-edge equipment can transform traditional “Americana” into elevated confections with bold textures, refined finishes, and commercial scalability.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in hands-on production of a wide range of confections, with a focus on enrobing, inclusion bars, snackable formats, and bonbons. Emphasis will be placed on precision, efficiency, and professional kitchen standards, making this class ideal for pastry chefs and chocolatiers looking to expand their technical range and product offerings. 

Fundamental kitchen experience and/or training is required. 

OBJECTIVES:

  • Frame and enrobe bonbons
  • Caramels 
  • Design and assemble snack bars and petit gourmandises 
  • Execute panning techniques
  • Learn about best practices in packaging and shelf-life management

Schedule: 

8:30am-9:00am: Arrival & light breakfast  

9:00am-12:30pm: Class  

12:30-1:30pm: Lunch  

1:30-5:00pm: Class *

*Please note: On the final day, class is expected to conclude around 3:00pm. 

These times are approximations and may vary.  Please note that class may go over the allotted time to cover all the class material. As a result, we do not recommend booking travel that will require you to leave class at 5pm or earlier. Please keep this in mind when arranging your travel.   

What’s included in the class?  

  • A recipe book with all recipes and relevant methods or techniques (varies based on class theme).  
  • A diploma that certifies you have successfully completed the course.  
  • Light breakfast and catered lunch each day.  
  • Cocktail hour after first day of class (transportation to location not included). 

Chef  Referral  Program

Refer a friend for a l’École Valrhona Brooklyn 2026 professional class and receive a $200 credit to use towards a 2026 class, your friend will also receive a $200 credit to use towards the class they sign up for!

Learn More

After over 20 years of making sweets in celebrated kitchens all over the world, chef Thomas ventures out to start his own brand, Thomas Craft Confections. Adam began his professional journey working at a San Diego bakery at age 18 with Alsatian master baker, Pascal Zindel and it was there that he knew confectionary arts was his calling. During a successful apprenticeship at the prestigious Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Adam connected with long time mentor, Jean-Francois “Jeff” Lehuede.

While still working at the Ritz Carlton, Adam took on a second roll at the St Regis, Monarch Beach Resort to learn from MOF, pastry chef Stéphan Tréand. After taking the role of Head Pastry Chef at the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, Adam was sent to help open other Ritz Carlton hotels in Abaco Island, Bahamas and Denver, Colorado. Then the globe-trotting really began, Adam was sent to Enniskerry Ireland to assist with another opening at the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt. From there it was chocolate competitions in Cologne, Germany and Madrid, Spain. Chocolate science education in T’Hain l’Hermitage France and Schwyz, Switzerland. Opening task force stints including Italy and New York. Executive Pastry Chef residencies at Capella Singapore, The Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills and most recently at the longest running 5 Star resort in the country, The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. It was in Colorado Adam was able to sink his teeth into the baking & pastry program and make it one of the very best in the country.  

Adam now owns and operates Thomas Craft Confections in Brenham, Texas.

Public Transportation
Subway: High St/ York St – A, C, F

Parking
Park Kwik - 45 Main Street (Dumbo)
Front & York Garage (LAZ Parking / Front & York) - 135 York St

Hotel Recommendation
Hotel recommendations can be provided by our team upon request.

If you cancel 45 days or more prior to the first day of class, you will be completely refunded. If you cancel within 45 days you will receive a 50% refund or 100% class credit to be used within a year of the cancellation date. If you cancel within one week of the class you will receive a 50% class credit to be used within one year of the cancelation date. 

We do our best to avoid canceling or rescheduling classes, however, please be aware that classes are subject to change due to conflicts, instructor illness, travel issues, etc. We will contact you immediately in case of any date changes or course cancellations. In the case a class is rescheduled or canceled we offer you the choice of a full refund or a class credit to be used within one year of the cancelation date. 

As Valrhona is not responsible for your accommodations we recommend booking refundable forms of transportation and accommodations, so if an unforeseen change occurs you will not be charged. 

Contact us at ecolebrooklyn@valrhona.com for more details!

See available discounts here.