Pastry Arts Podcast

Fred Csibi-Levin is a scientist-turned-pastry-chef dedicated to combining the precision of the scientific method with the artistry of pastry. Fred brings an analytical lens to the art of dessert-making; exploring how texture, temperature, and flavor interact to create harmony with visual appeal. After earning his pastry degree from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Fred moved from the science bench to the kitchen laboratory, developing recipes, teaching, and consulting for bakeries and restaurants all over the US and abroad. He is the author of Mastering Macarons, where he breaks down complex techniques into approachable ones to successfully make macarons. His second cookbook, Pâtisserie Extraordinaire, showcases inventive, illusion-inspired desserts that blend techniques with modern artistry and surprise. Through his teaching, Fred shares a system that allows chefs and students to move beyond recipes and develop their own refined, visually striking creations. Fred's work has been featured by Buzzfeed, Tastemade, and the Pastry Arts Magazine, among others; he has competed on the Food Network, and his social media channels have amassed over 450K of followers.
Website: docmacaron.com 
Instagram: @fred.csibilevin
In this episode we explore:
Why he swapped a career in pharma to become a pastry chef
Why Fred decided to focus on perfecting his technique for macarons
Fred's top macaron tips from his book, Mastering Macarons
Why he decided to focus on trompe l'oeil desserts in Patisserie Extraordinaire
Some of the desserts featured in Patisserie Extraordinaire
What he does as a pastry consultant
The similarities between the scientific lab and the pastry kitchen
And much more!

Heather Hardcastle is a California-based pastry chef known for redefining gluten-free baking through a seasonal, ingredient-driven lens. Her work centers on creating food that feels generous, beautiful, and deeply satisfying — and just so happens to be gluten-free.
Heather is the founder of Flour Craft Bakery, a beloved 100% gluten-free bakery with two Bay Area locations, established in 2010. Through Flour Craft, she has built a loyal following for her refined yet approachable pastries and savory offerings rooted in natural ingredients and artisan technique. Heather is the author of The Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe Cookbook (Welcome Books, 2021), and has developed widely distributed product lines that bring her signature style into home kitchens. Her work continues to evolve through her growing Substack community, where she shares seasonal recipes and cooking rhythms, and through her retail concept, The GoodLife Shop. 
Flourcraftbakery.com
Shopgoodlifehome.com
Instagram: @flourcraft
Substack: flourcraft.substack.com
In this episode we explore:
•    What made Heather change careers and immerse herself in pastry
•    Attending CIA and teaching herself the art of gluten-free pastry
•    From farmers' markets to a brick-and-mortar space: the birth of Flour Craft Bakery
•    Which flour blends Heather uses
•    Opening a second bakery as well as a lifestyle shop
•    What gluten-free product presented the biggest challenge
•    Book debut: writing The Flour Craft Bakery & Café Cookbook
•    Heather's best baking tip and advice to aspiring pros
•    And much more!

René Bollier is the President and Executive Chef of André's Confiserie Suisse. Grandson of founders André and Elsbeth Bollier, Bollier began his training at age 11 under his family's guidance. After attending the University of Kansas, René continued his culinary education training at some of the top chocolate and pastry shops in Switzerland. He and his wife Nancy returned to Kansas City in 2002 to lead the family business into the third generation. The Bollier family remains focused on continuing the André's tradition, producing only the highest quality gourmet chocolates, pastries, tortes and baked goods using time-honored production methods. Nothing inspires René more than simply being in the kitchen, perfecting classic recipes and creating new ones for the community that has made André's a tradition since 1955. 
Website: AndresChocolates.com
Instagram: @andresswiss
In this episode we discuss:
How Rene's grandparents opened a Swiss chocolate shop in Kansas City in 1955
How they introduced mid-Westerners to hand-crafted Swiss chocolates
Back to the homeland: Rene's training in Switzerland
What makes Swiss chocolates unique
Hot items: Engadiner nusstortes, chocolate-covered almonds and lackerli cookies
Rene's best kitchen tip and advice for budding entrepreneurs
And much more!

Jimmy MacMillan is the founder of Successful Bakery, a systems-driven consulting practice for established bakery owners in the $500K to $5M+ range. His signature engagement, the 90-Day Bakery Systems Reset, helps owners fix operational chaos, increase profit, and reduce owner dependency. With a background that includes a luxury hotel pastry career at Four Seasons and The Peninsula, international training in France, Switzerland, and Barcelona, and recognition from the James Beard Foundation, Jimmy brings both operator credibility and consultant authority. He works with bakeries, pastry shops, and bakery cafes across the U.S., building businesses that run without the owner standing in the middle of every decision. 
Website: Successfulbakery.com
Instagram: @chefjimmymacmillan
In this episode, we discuss:
How Jimmy pivoted from a career in music to the pastry industry
How a lucky encounter landed him a job at The Four Seasons
How he honed his craft in restaurants in France, Switzerland and Spain
Why he decided to focus on consulting for bakeries
Jimmy's 90-Day Virtual Bakery Systems Makeover
What it takes to run a successful bakery, and common reasons why most fail
How to avoid staff burnout
And much more!

Melissa Weller is an acclaimed baker, pastry chef, and cookbook author with over two decades of experience. Before pursuing her passion for baking, she worked as an engineer, but at 30, she pivoted careers by enrolling at the French Culinary Institute (now the Institute for Culinary Education). Since then, Melissa has built an impressive career in some of the country's most esteemed kitchens, including Babbo, Sullivan Street Bakery, Per Se, Bouchon Bakery, and Roberta's. She was the founding baker at Sadelle's and later served as the head baker at Walnut Street Café in Philadelphia and a chef-partner at High Street on Hudson, where she further cemented her reputation as a leader in the industry. Her expertise and dedication earned her a James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Baker in 2016, and in November 2020, she published her first cookbook, A Good Bake (Knopf), sharing her deep knowledge and passion for the craft. In 2024, Melissa partnered with 55 Hospitality to spearhead the opening of Bub's Bakery (opened September 2025), an innovative allergen-free concept, expanding her influence in the baking world while championing inclusivity in pastry. Melissa's career spans New York City, Philadelphia, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she continues to explore the art and science of baking. Driven by a love of learning and sharing knowledge, she remains a respected voice in the culinary world.
Instagram: @melissafunkweller or @bubsbakerynyc
Websites: Melissabakesbread.com or bubsbakery.com
In this episode we discuss:
•  What prompted Melissa to pivot from a career in chemical engineering to professional baking
•  What she learned from mentors at Babbo, Sullivan Street Bakery and Per Se, among others
•  Juggling her role as a mother with baking at Roberta's in Brooklyn
•  Becoming an entrepreneur – opening a bagel stand at the market
•  Opening Sadelle's – where Melissa brought her pastries to a new level
•  Becoming an author: writing A Good Bake and Very Good Bread
•  Opening Bub's Bakery, an allergen-free bakery
•  And much more!