Meet The Birchwood Properties Pastry Chef Rocco LaPorte

4 months ago

Petersburg, United States Birchwood Inn Full time

**Meet The Birchwood Properties Pastry Chef Rocco LaPorte**

October 12, 2021 In Happy National Dessert Day Thats right, today, October 14, is one of the sweetest days of the year. In honor of one of our favorite holidays, we sat down with The Birchwood Properties Pastry Chef Rocco LaPorte and discussed his background, ice cream flavors and what inspires his culinary creations:

*Pictured: Pastry Chef Rocco LaPorte with three batches of ice cream*

Im from Chicago and my parents cooked every day growing up. My moms parents owned a bar that they converted into a restaurant in Chicago and I have lots of uncles and aunts who are either chefs or they own catering companies. So I was just really immersed in it from a young age. Ive seen a wide variety of cuisines living in Chicago and because of my European background.

*Pictured: Chef Rocco creates Birch & Vines popular Peanut Butter Bars*

My grandparents are from Germany and I was raised with really good quality European pastries. Those are the types of things I like to make because they arent easy to find. They arent something you can get from a typical grocery store. So if I wanted it, I had to make it or purchase it at a German bakery.

I try to pull inspiration from everywhere. Being from Chicago, Ive seen a lot more than other places. Like other major cities, there are many types of cuisine in Chicago. Ive also traveled and I try to pull inspiration from other places.

I moved to St. Petersburg without ever having been here. I didnt have a job or an apartment, and I secured both on the drive down. My first job was as the assistant number one to the pastry chef at th St. Pete Yacht club. Later, The Birchwoods Executive Chef Lee Aquino found me on LinkedIn, and thats how I started here. When the Pier was under construction, I was asked to help with our sister properties, Pier Teaki, Teak and Driftwood Cafe. And of course, I wanted to be part of that.

*Pictured: Chef Rocco prepares Pineapple Right Side Up Cake for Teak*

I make the ice cream for Driftwood Cafe and a few desserts for Teak like Pineapple Right Side Up Cake and the Pecan Pie Bread Pudding.

I like to be creative and do things that other people enjoy. But also I get to enjoy myself. I think I like the nostalgic part of it. And just being able to kind of treat people by making their celebrations special, or doing something that will make it special and then they might remember.

**Describe your food style in five words or phrases.**

Classic with a twist, fruity, rich, nostalgic & inspired.

New ingredients and fresh flavors.

It was a rabbit dish cooked by my chef friend Matt Starling in a Kentucky restaurant that I worked at.. It was braised, tender and savory and my first time trying rabbit.

I think my Oma, who is my grandma from Germany. My grandparents got the bar and turned it into a restaurant. And really, thats what made me turn to the whole pastry thing.

I want to continue in the pastry field. What I want to do is get a couple more aspects of the art under my belt and master them. There are certain things that Ive done every day for years that I feel strong about. And there are other things that I havent, like croissants for example. Ive done them, I can do them, but I want to be the person thats been doing them for months every day. Ive done sugar sculptures. fruit tarts, lots of doughs, mousses, and ice cream all day for years. But I specifically want to master chocolate work and croissants.

So the Driftwood Cafe serves super premium ice cream and its not custard. But that means it has a lot more cream. We do a lot of mix-ins and nostalgic American flavors. I once created a flavor called Mexican Mocha that had a chocolate base with coffee, which was popular.

  • Pastry Assistant

    4 weeks ago

    St Petersburg, United States Birchwood Inn Partners, LLLP Full time

    Job Description: To assist Pastry Chef in preparing/producing quality dessert items consistently and within required time frames while maintaining standards of the kitchen. Standards include; cleanliness/sanitation, effective communication and exceeding skill levels. Examples of items to produce include Brioche and Focaccia, Breakfast Pastries and...

  • Pastry Assistant

    4 weeks ago

    Saint Petersburg, United States Birchwood Inn Partners, LLLP Full time

    Job DescriptionJob DescriptionJob Description:To assist Pastry Chef in preparing/producing quality dessert items consistently and within required time frames while maintaining standards of the kitchen. Standards include; cleanliness/sanitation, effective communication and exceeding skill levels. Examples of items to produce include Brioche and Focaccia,...

  • Pastry Chef

    2 weeks ago

    St. Petersburg, Florida, United States Marriott International, Inc Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a skilled Pastry Chef to join our team at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club Autograph Collection. As a Pastry Chef, you will be responsible for preparing ingredients for cooking, including portioning, chopping, and storing food. You will also be responsible for washing and peeling fresh fruits and vegetables, weighing, measuring, and...

  • Pastry Chef

    2 weeks ago

    St. Petersburg, Florida, United States Marriott International, Inc Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a skilled Pastry Chef to join our team at The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club Autograph Collection. As a Pastry Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and cooking food according to recipes, quality standards, and presentation standards.Key ResponsibilitiesPrepare ingredients for cooking, including portioning, chopping, and storing...

  • Pastry Cook

    3 months ago

    St Petersburg, United States The Don CeSar Full time

    Property Description: The Don CeSar, known as the "Pink Palace" and a legendary landmark on St. Pete Beach, Florida, is looking for talented individuals to join our team! As a job applicant, you'll have the opportunity to work in a world-class, historic resort known for its luxury and elegance. With positions available in front desk, housekeeping, food and...

  • Assistant Property Manager

    8 hours ago

    St Petersburg, United States Morgan Properties Full time

    Job SummaryThe Assistant Property Manager is a key member of our property management team, responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of our assigned properties. This role involves a range of tasks, including leasing, collections, resident services, and maintenance, with a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business...

  • Facilities Maintenance Technician

    4 weeks ago

    St. Petersburg, Florida, United States Birchwood Inn Partners, LLLP Full time

    Job OverviewPosition: General MaintenanceEmployment Type: Full Time, 40 hours per weekCompensation: $16 - $18 per hourSchedule: Includes weekends and holidaysReporting To: Facilities ManagerPosition SummaryThe role involves ensuring the upkeep of facilities and equipment through general repair tasks that do not necessitate specialized skills....

  • Executive Chef

    3 weeks ago

    St Petersburg, United States The Don CeSar Full time

    About The Don CeSarThe Don CeSar, a renowned luxury resort, is seeking a highly skilled Chef de Cuisine to join our esteemed culinary team. As a world-class resort, we offer a unique opportunity to work in a prestigious environment, providing unparalleled service to our discerning guests.Job SummaryWe are looking for a talented and experienced Chef de...

  • Executive Chef

    1 day ago

    St Petersburg, United States The Don CeSar Full time

    Unleash Your Culinary CreativityThe Don CeSar, a legendary landmark on St. Pete Beach, Florida, is seeking a talented Chef de Cuisine to join our world-class team. As a culinary maestro, you will have the opportunity to work in a historic resort known for its luxury and elegance, creating unforgettable dining experiences for our esteemed guests.About the...

  • Executive Chef Assistant

    3 days ago

    St. Petersburg, Florida, United States Hawkers Asian Street Food Full time

    About the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Sous Chef to join our team at Hawkers Asian Street Food. As a key member of our kitchen team, you will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef in achieving our culinary goals and ensuring the highest standards of food quality and service.Key ResponsibilitiesAssist the Executive Chef in...

  • Executive Chef

    3 hours ago

    St Petersburg, United States Naked Farmer Careers Full time

    About the RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chef de Cuisine to lead our culinary team in our scratch kitchen. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for managing and guiding your team of chefs to run an efficient kitchen where chefs love to work.Key ResponsibilitiesLead and mentor the chef trainees, setting an example of...

  • Executive Chef

    2 days ago

    St Petersburg, United States TradeWinds Island Resort Full time

    Job Title: Sous ChefAt TradeWinds Island Resort, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Sous Chef to join our culinary team. As a key member of our kitchen staff, you will be responsible for ensuring that all meals are prepared to the highest standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.Responsibilities:Work closely with the Chef de Cuisine...

  • Executive Chef

    2 weeks ago

    St Petersburg, United States Compass Group, PLC Full time

    About Compass Group, PLCWe are a leading food service and support services company, serving a diverse range of clients across the globe. Our mission is to deliver high-quality food and services that exceed our customers' expectations.About the RoleWe are seeking a talented and experienced Chef Manager to join our team. As a key member of our culinary team,...

  • Sous Chef

    3 months ago

    Saint Petersburg, United States Red Mesa Group Full time

    Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSalary: $60,000Sous ChefJob DescriptionWe are looking for a Sous Chef to supervise daily back of house restaurant operations.Sous Chef responsibilities include supervising the food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen inventory and complying with safety and cleanliness standards. To be successful in this role,...

  • Sous Chef

    4 months ago

    Saint Petersburg, United States Naked Farmer Careers Full time

    Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSOUS CHEFLocation: 200 Central Ave #150 St. Petersburg, FL 33701Salary: $48K-$51K per year (training pay $45K)Naked Farmer is a pioneering farm-to-table restaurant group with multiple locations across Florida, cooking and serving scratch-made, healthy, and affordable meals. Our restaurants celebrate the seasonality of vegetables...

  • Executive Chef

    2 days ago

    St Petersburg, United States TradeWinds Island Resort Full time

    Job Title: Chef de CuisineLocation: TradeWinds Island ResortJob Type: Full-timeAbout Us: TradeWinds Island Resort is a premier hospitality company that offers a unique blend of luxury and relaxation. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chef de Cuisine to join our team.Job Summary:The Chef de Cuisine is responsible for overseeing the culinary...

  • Chef de Cuisine

    2 months ago

    Saint Petersburg, United States Noble Tavern Full time

    Job DescriptionJob DescriptionGet ready, St. Petersburg! Noble Tavern, a new venture by the team behind Noble Crust and Fat Beet Farm, is set to bring a modern & unique dining experience to Central Avenue beneath the Tru by Hilton Hotel and overlooking Tropicana Field. Now Hiring / Immediate Opportunity for :Restaurant Chef de Cuisine / Kitchen LeaderWe are...

  • Executive Chef

    2 days ago

    Petersburg, United States Westminstercommunitiesfl Full time

    Job SummaryWe are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Chef to lead our culinary team at Westminster Communities. As a key member of our dining services management team, you will be responsible for managing the entire operations of our kitchen, overseeing the purchase of food and supplies, and ensuring the highest quality of meal preparation and...

  • Executive Sous Chef

    4 months ago

    Saint Petersburg, United States The Hotel Zamora Full time

    Job DescriptionJob DescriptionThe Hotel Zamora, a beautiful boutique hotel located in St. Pete Beach, FL, is seeking an experienced Sous Chef. With stunning views overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway and Gulf of Mexico, the Hotel Zamora provides a luxurious retreat for its guests. Besides relaxing in the beautifully appointed guest rooms, our guests...

  • Chef de Cuisine

    4 months ago

    Saint Petersburg, United States Naked Farmer Careers Full time

    Job DescriptionJob DescriptionCHEF DE CUISINELocation: 200 Central Ave #150 St. Petersburg, FL 33701Salary: $55K-$63K per year (training pay $55K)Naked Farmer is a pioneering farm-to-table restaurant group with multiple locations across Florida, cooking and serving scratch-made, healthy, and affordable meals. Our restaurants celebrate the seasonality of...