Cook with Jacques and Friends

Chefs

Christian Velez

Christian Velez

The belief at Arc Broward is everyone deserves opportunity, especially people with disabilities and other life challenges. Chef Christian Velez shares his expertise with students and the community as Arc Educates’ Culinary Arts Instructor and Arc Culinary’s Executive Pastry Chef. With a degree in baking and pastry from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and more than ten years of experience, he brings a wealth of culinary knowledge from across the hospitality industry. Prior to his role with Arc Broward, Chef Christian exceled at Gianni’s, at the Versace Mansion in Miami Beach, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, at L’Atelier by Joel Robuchon, and at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront restaurant, Burlock Coast.

Since joining the Arc Broward – Arc Culinary team, Chef Christian dazzled audiences as a contestant and finalist in the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship 2023. Inside the Culinary Arts classroom, he continues to impress students with his knowledge, skill set, and most importantly his compassion. He is on a mission to positively impact the lives of students as they matriculate into the culinary arts field. As the Executive Pastry Chef for Arc Culinary, Chef Christian infuses his love of film and art to his gastronomic endeavors by applying these visual elements to his craft.  In this role, he is influential in the design, creation, and production of the agency’s refined dessert spreads for the Chef Experience Dinners and other events catered by Arc Culinary.

Christian Velez - One Bowl Chocolate Cake

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Every chef needs a chocolate cake in their arsenal of desserts, and this one-bowl recipe is my favorite! I like to swap yogurt for the more traditional buttermilk and use hot coffee instead of water for richness and greater depth of flavor. The batter is versatile and can be used for cupcakes, cake layers, or even homestyle loaves. It’s delicious on its own, sprinkled with candied nuts or chocolate chips before baking or topped with a glaze, frosting or chocolate ganache after. It makes an easy birthday cake too!

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