Revered Pastry Chef Claudia Fleming made her name at Gramercy Tavern, the landmark New York City restaurant, in the 1990s with her stripped-down, seasonal desserts. Her cookbook, "The Last Course," was published in 2001 and it became such a cult classic, it was reprinted in 2019. Fans could later find Claudia at the North Fork Table & Inn, which she opened with her husband Gerry Hayden in the heart of Long Island farm and wine country. She sold the inn last year.

Now, Claudia is back in New York City with an exciting job: corporate pastry director of Union Square Hospitality Group. She is in charge of mentoring and hiring the next generation of pastry chefs at the organization, which includes The Modern, Maialino, Daily Provisions, and her original home, Gramercy Tavern. Claudia joins us to tell us all about her new gig, what she’s looking for in a pastry chef, the ingredients she’s loving, and her thoughts on today’s pastry scene. Don’t miss her chat with host Kerry Diamond.

Thank you to Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wine for supporting this episode.

Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.