Uzma Sharif has some sweet tales to tell. Join us as this acclaimed Chicago chocolatier recounts the confectionary influences of her Pakistani heritage, and the history of pastries in South Asian countries. She will also touch on the special ingredients that are used in her culture.

Uzma says she has had a sweet life, surrounded by family and food. Growing up as a first generation Pakistani-American in Chicago and occasionally visiting her family in South Asia, Uzma recalls being greatly influenced by her grandfather, a renowned pastry chef in Pakistan.

Uzma ultimately studied under French pastry chefs in Chicago, traveled and tasted widely in Europe, served as head pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, began teaching chocolate and pastry classes at Triton College, and ultimately opened her own shop, Chocolat Uzma Sharif, on south Halsted St. (chocolatuzma.com).

It’s at her shop where Uzma infuses her South Asian heritage with her French training to create her chocolate-covered creations, some with spices and flowers. (Think East-meets-West chocolates, which we will sample, of

course!)

More information here.