Sweet Inspirations

Chef Deden Putra, Executive Pastry Chef of the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, takes you on a global dessert journey. This collection of simple, yet straightforward recipes, ranges from classic Western confectionery favorites, traditional Southeast-Asian treats, to edible holiday decorations from Easter to Christmas. Chef Putra's creations will give aspiring pastry chefs Sweet Inspirations.

In his first cookbook, Deden Putra, Executive Pastry Chef of Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills and winner of various pastry competitions not only offers handcrafted, creative, inspiring award-winning recipes, also sharing his creations of edible holiday decorations from Easter to Christmas. In Sweet Inspirations, aspiring pastry artists will find Chef Putra's original takes on traditional and classic recipes like Pandan Panna Cotta, Creme Fraiche Cheesecake, Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Tart, Coconut Crème Brûlée, and so much more.

Born and raised in the City of Bandung, Indonesia, Chef Deden Putra found his love for pastry artistry at an early age - when he received the top honors at the Culinary Institute of Indonesia in 1994. His quest to hone his passion and culinary art expertise led him to the United States, where he took part in the World Pastry Forum (Las Vegas, 2005). Since then, Chef Putra has taken part in many culinary competitions. He was winner of the Chocolate de Vine's "Most Decadent Dessert" award (Santa Barbara, 2007), a runner-up for the Chicago Restaurant Pastry Competition (Chicago, 2015), as well as a runner- up and People Choice Award recipient in The Big Gateaux Competition (New Orleans, 2015). Chef Putra's extensive resume includes stints at several five-star luxury hotels, the Beverly Wilshire (a Four Seasons Hotel), and Peninsula Hotel at Fifth Avenue in New York City, to name a few. He is now an Executive Pastry Chef at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. Working in the epicenter of all things Hollywood, Chef Putra gets to showcase his work to A-list movie stars and studio executives. His tenure in television and publication centers like Los Angeles and New York also opened many possibilities. Chef Putra's pastry artistry appeared in various media publications. KNBC TV and Los Angeles Magazine featured his creations, "Chocolate Hazelnut Napoleon" and "Chocolate Dumpling." In 2012, the Rachel Ray Show featured his Holiday Creation - a ten-foot-tall, gingerbread replica of the Essex House. In 2019, the Food and Beverage Magazine selected him as one of the "U.S. Pastry Chefs to Watch." Through this book, Chef Putra would like to share his culinary journey with all of you. To start in Bandung and to arrive in Hollywood is quite a remarkable feat. Still, he believes his best creation is yet to come…