Special pastry class at Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace

 In recognition of National Pastry Day and its fifth anniversary, Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace invites guests to attend a special pastry class with world-famous Pastry Chef François Payard, and to experience a delectable tribute menu that brings back unforgettable items from the restaurant’s opening during the month of December.

In honor of National Pasty Day, Payard, who won the coveted James Beard Foundation Pastry Chef of the Year award in 1995, will be in Las Vegas to hold a pastry demonstration on Monday, Dec. 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The celebratory pastry class will allow guests to witness step-by-step preparations of delicious creations from his popular cookbooks, “Simply Sensational” and “Chocolate Epiphany,” including: hazelnut chocolate tart, chocolate pudding cake and flourless cookie.

The first ticket to sell-out each year, Payard’s master pastry class is one of the most sought-after tickets at the annual Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit. His upcoming class will be held in the cozy dining room of the Payard Bistro at Caesars Palace. In addition to the presentation, participants will enjoy a buffet of canapés and sweets and a gift bag including a François Payard cookbook to take home. Guests are invited to attend for $85 per person. Reservations for the class can be made by calling (702) 731-7292. Space is limited for this intimate event.

Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro opened its only Las Vegas location at Caesars Palace in November of 2007 offering guests a traditional mix of savory and sweet French fare in addition to an exquisite experience in tasting fine chocolates and French pastries. Five years later, the establishment continues to delight guests with many of the same staff and guests frequenting its dining room and dessert shop.

Payard Bistro opened with a menu that has since become legend in the Las Vegas community. In celebration of the fifth anniversary, the restaurant is reviving a selection from the menu for a limited time. The Savory Sweets tribute menu, available throughout the month of December during breakfast, lunch and dinner, features one item from each class of desserts from the renowned menu that opened the bistro in its first days of service. Each item on the menu is available for $12; guests can choose from:

Seared pineapple with thyme, tapioca and coconut sorbet (from the Orchard)

Palet d’or hazelnut succès, chocolate marquise and crispy wafer (from Tout Chocolat)

Milk chocolate Payard candy bar with Gianduja and caramel glaze (from Coffee, Caramel and Nuts)

Apple tatin with aged cheddar, frisée salad and toasted walnuts (from Harmonie de Fromages et Fruits)

“I am thrilled to present an anniversary menu that will recapture items from the Pâtisserie & Bistro’s original menu that enchanted guests in our very first days at Caesars Palace,” said François Payard.

A supplement to Payard’s wine cocktails for the month of December, the specialty champagne cocktail available during dinner is inspired by the roasted pear with maple syrup and brown butter ice cream dish featured on the opening Orchard menu and is available for $12. The cocktail creation includes: St. Hilaire Champagne, roasted pear with maple syrup and Dulce de Leche ice cream served with a spoon to create an elegant champagne float.

While in Las Vegas in December, Chef Payard is honored to participate in “Start Spreadin’ the News,” a food and wine event to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims. Payard, who lives and attends to his five locations in New York, was personally impacted by the hurricane and looks forward to joining other Las Vegas chefs for the event. Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada will host the event and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New York-New York Hotel & Casino Brooklyn Bridge. Tickets are on sale now for $100 and can be purchased by calling the New York-New York box office at (866) 606-7111.

Payard Patisserie & Bistro is designed to evoke thoughts of a classic Parisian pastry shop. Rich and vibrant colors dominate the space as hand-crafted woodwork, crystal, blown glass and leather banquettes complete the restaurant’s elegant feel. Payard offers guests three distinct experiences, including a chocolate shop, a pastry shop with made-to-order crepes, and an intimate full-service dining room. Dining room hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The walk-up pastry counter and retail area is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (702) 731-7292.