In "Wild at Tart," an article from the Winter 1996 issue of Beard House magazine, Erica Cantley interviewed François Payard, the winner of the 1995 James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year award. In their interview they discussed Payard's career in America and his desire to break the proverbial French pastry mold. "Receiving this uniquely American (James Beard) award is an affirmation that I have done the right thing—taken the risks to live in a different way, in a different country, making pastry much different from what I knew growing up," Payard explained. Banana Tart with Passion Fruit Crème Anglaise and Chocolate Tart with Spicy Chocolate Milkshake are just two of the desserts that clinched the Le Bernardin and Daniel pastry chef's elite status.
