Will Cotton, Churro Cabin, 2001.
Yes, that's a churro cabin, and yes I want to live in it. I want to sit atop the donut-rock while wiggling my toes in the chocolate milk river, daydreaming absentmindedly with powdered sugar fingers. Will Cotton's world is frothy and sweet--a billowy binge-world of swirly pink and melting cocoa--and, to me, it's what heaven looks like. Here's his take on Endless Winter.
Wouldn't these frigid temps feel better if spent in the shade of a giant cookie tree? Or how about curled up in the window of an ice cream cone and peppermint stick castle...
I could go for a quick swim in the Giverny Flan Pond, alternately floating and chomping on a flan boat ...
I'm a massive fan of Cotton's paintings and giant cake sculpture installations--they seem like the deliciously torrid love children of Damian Loeb and Willy Wonka. Mr. Cotton went to France to become a master baker in order to accurately (and tastefully) construct the confections that inspire his work. I had the pleasure of meeting him at his Partners & Spade bakery installation which saw the back part of the gallery transformed into a working patisserie. He explained that he'd spent years working to perfect the French macaron--my faves--and admitted he often had to throw away large portions of his batches, choosing to only sell those which were absolutely perfect.
When I said that I, too, was honing my macaron skills in my home kitchen and did he have any tips, Mr. Cotton said he was schooled at a little place in Paris called Laduree and was, thus, sworn to secrecy.
I read about a certain macaron baking secret from a certain American lady with a knack for, you know, secrets to cooking, and I ventured forth with what she recommended.
"Aren't you're supposed to leave _____ when you _____?" I asked him.
His eyes widened, and he winked. "Why, yes, you are ..."
Ah-ha! Your secret is safe with me!
I plan on spending these cold months indoors perfecting my own macaron skills. Either that, or I'll just buy some at Bouley Bakery, close my eyes, and pretend I'm floating on a warm, cotton candy sky.
I would like to request macaroni macaroons.
That is all.