“I am the Pastry Chef, I am Drew”

Could you take a picture for our group?  Sure. 

Is the Pastry Chef here?  Trying my luck.  I asked the man who walked out of the pastry kitchen towards me, giving me a warm smile.  I was just told by the group of ladies I met for Houston Dessert Meetup Group that the pastry chef will only be around in the morning and we will not get to see him that evening …Huh? but I am here to meet him. 

I am the Pastry Chef!  I am Drew, his smile grew wider.  You are Chef Drew?  Caught off guard, I only managed to return a stunned response. 

Chef Drew Rogers

This is my second outing with Houston Dessert Group.  When I first read that the August meetup at Drew’s Pastry will be in Spring/Cypress/ Tomball area, I have rsvp’d NO.  It is too far for me, I thought.  Then 2 days before the meetup I decided I have to visit Drew’s Pastry Place.  Alexandra, or we call her Bella during the meetup, had just finished her examination and she offered me a ride with her up north of Houston.  She wrote that from where we lived and she lives 10 min from me, it would take us about 35min to Drew’s Pastry Place.

Gretchen, or lazy_engineer as she is known on the meetup site, is the organizer of Houston Dessert Meetup Group.  She wrote on the post, “You may also notice that this is really far away from the center of Houston. Typically, I wouldn’t make you all drive this far out (near where I live), BUT this is a special case. Drew’s Pastry Place is a new bakery and it is one of the best I’ve ever been to. If you can make it, you will not regret it. This place is just fabulous. They’ve got all kinds of cakes, pies, cookies and brownies, along with slightly fancier pastries, and gelato. The ambience is great and people don’t know about it yet, so it won’t be crowded. The head pastry chef (Drew) is very nice and friendly, too.“

As I read the media report that Gretchen attached to meetup introduction note, I realized Chef Drew was a student at Culinary Institute Alain and Marie LeNotre and he was a career changer at the age of 40 who took to evening classes to fulfill his dream.  He has shared in an interview with Houston Community Newspaper, “Fifty-one weeks later, I graduated,” he laughed. “It was intensive, but I loved it. I learned a whole lot and it’s been my passion, you know…”  It inspired me enough to want to make it for the evening at Drew Pastry Place.

Meetup @ Drew's Pastry Place

Drew's Business Card

My experience at Drew’s Pastry was one of warm reception and a showcase of passion from the chef-owner.  He recommended that I try his Italian Cream cake , then he realised the last piece on display was sold, which I believed was bought by our meetup group.  He quickly got his team in the pastry kitchen to decorate another.  So I got to try his Italian Cream cake, I ate a piece and passed round to the rest of the group before I even remembered to take a picture.

A couple came in to collect their cake.  Chef Drew told the couple I am a student from the culinary institute he graduated.  He had made a special order for the couple’s wedding anniversary, and they got a slice to eat at the counter.  Didn’t get the name, but it was topped with Italian meringue and the couple were obviously enjoying their treat.  They told me I have got to try it but none was for sale since it was specially made for them.

Drew with Jordan

He came over to our table to have a chat with our group.  He shared that both his daughter and his son help him out at the bakery cafe.  He has his wife to thank for living his passion.  Business has been brisk since he opened…  The next moment he was at the door to welcome some walk-in customers and thank others for coming, then he was back in the pastry kitchen, and the next he was chatting at another table.  He was so full of energy! 

The visit to Drew’s Pastry was a total experience, it was not just about the pastries, there were extra touches to trade up the overall experience – Chef Drew’s warm personality and hearty laughter, the welcoming and casual cafe feel with warm lighting with a choice of seating at bar stools, table seat or a sofa corner to relax over a coffee and bites, I read that there was a mobile phone charging corner, free WIFI, and a tv which showed live the decorator in action.  I did not notice the latter, I was too absorbed with the atmosphere, trying the spread contributed by the group, and getting to know each other.  Oh Tati in our group bought a bottle of white wine to eat with the chocolate brownies, alcohol is not sold on site but BYOB. 

By the time we decided to make a move, it was a great 2 and half hour later.  Chef Drew gave me a hug and wish me well for my school. 

A pix with Drew

Thanks to Gretchen and Alexandra for making the experience happen for me!