Public Class: Bûche de Noël, Create a Classic Yule Log with Chef Dave Leyva

Learn the secrets of perfecting a traditional holiday showstopper. Channel your inner pastry chef by creating a light and flexible chocolate chiffon cake wrapped in a perfect spiral around a mocha mousse filling, covered in buttercream, and decorated with meringue mushrooms. 

Get into the spirit of the season and start your holiday baking by learning techniques that will enable you to craft this elaborate centerpiece dessert at home.

What You'll Make and Take Home: 

• Prepare a chocolate chiffon layer cake, the flexible yoga guru of the cake world. 
• Discover a simple and stable crème fraîche mocha mousse filling. Demystify buttercream frosting, a staple of cake decorating. 
• Take home your own Bûche de Noël and all the recipes to recreate it.

About the instructor: Chef Dave Leyva worked as chef and pastry chef in several notable restaurants before starting his journey as an instructor in the Wine Country. He has taught and mentored rising chefs at The Culinary Institute of America, Copia and the original Williams-Sonoma store. At the Gilardi Training and Events Center, Dave now takes pride in leading our Community Teaching Kitchen. 

Reservations close Dec. 4, 2026.

*We are not able to accommodate dietary requests for hands-on events. Please read the menu carefully and contact us with any questions at events@hbofm.org.