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Distinctively decadent
Still-life paintings of luscious desserts made Northern
California contemporary artist Wayne Thiebaud world-famous. The real thing can
be found in Loomis at Divine Desserts by Aguirre, where the art of pastry chef
Javier Aguirre is earning him well deserved attention.
Just three months ago, Aguirre and his wife, Esther, opened Divine Desserts in
the little yellow house at the corner of Doc Barnes Drive and South Walnut
Street. Don't let the small retail space fool you. There's a great deal of
activity going on in the back as the Aguirres - he is the pastry chef and she is
the baker - work diligently (Javier's work day begins at 3 a.m. and ends at 7
p.m.) to fill wholesale orders for restaurants, caterers and other bakeries.
"We rely on hotels, B&Bs, the wholesale trade in order to succeed," Esther said.
Javier designs and creates a variety of distinctive gourmet treats. The
handcrafted, European-style pastries include tortes, truffles, cheesecakes,
tarts and individual French pastries, all made with the finest, high-quality
ingredients available.
"All my flavor compounds come from Europe," Javier explains.
He uses orange, rum, passion fruit and other flavors that are
in paste form.
"I work with European butter creams, high-quality chocolate, real cream and
fresh fruits," he added.
Javier's pastries are works of art that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
The tiramisu tartlet is a feast for the eyes and as light as a feather. A
delightful tiramisu cream filling of Mascarpone cheese sits on a layer of yellow
cake, topped with lady fingers soaked in coffee syrup, with coffee cream on top
and finished with a dusting of Dutch cocoa powder. It's just one of the many
tantalizing delicacies that can be found at Divine Desserts.
Doreen Carlson of Loomis was making her first visit to Divine Desserts on
Monday.
"I think this is fabulous," Carlson said. "I used to do cake decorating for the
kids and I know this takes a lot of work."
Born in the colonial city of Guanajuato, in central Mexico, Javier, 45, came to
the United States in 1980. His first job was in Reno, where for more than 10
years he learned his trade working with an Austrian pastry chef. Prior to
opening Divine Desserts, he worked for 15-1/2 years at Blattler's wholesale
pastries in Auburn.
The Aguirres are residents of Ophir and have lived in the area since 1992.
Together, they have six children: "His, mine, and ours," Esther said.
Family members help out doing different tasks at the shop.
Esther has been a grocery baker for 25 years, having taught at a culinary school
before she began working in an Auburn bakery. The bakery goods Esther makes for
Divine Desserts are also handmade with quality ingredients and flavorings.
In addition to the pastries available daily in the store's cases, Divine
Desserts accepts special orders for all of its goods. Orders should be placed
two business days in advance; and, during the holiday season, additional notice
would be appreciated.
Info Box
Name: Divine Desserts by Aguirre
Address: 6045 So. Walnut St., at the corner of Doc Barnes Dr.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call: 652-6545