Is there really a “best” sweetener? Chef Fran Costigan, Director of Vegan Pastry takes a fresh look at the ever-expanding world of sweeteners—from cane and beet sugar to maple syrup, honey, date sugar, black sugar, and the rapidly growing category of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS).
Discover what each sweetener contributes beyond sweetness, when substitutions work (and when they don’t), and what to consider when choosing one for flavor, texture, performance, and nutrition. If you’ve ever wondered whether sweeteners are truly interchangeable—or if the search for the perfect sugar is even possible—this session is for you.
This topic invites discussion, questions, and plenty of myth-busting as together we explore the science and art of sweetness.
About Fran Costigan
Fran Costigan is internationally renowned as the authority on vegan desserts. Trained at the New York Restaurant School and Natural Gourmet Institute, Fran was a chef in both traditional and vegan pastry kitchens before moving into teaching over 20 years ago. A lifelong chocoholic and long time vegan, Fran’s latest book, Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy Free Desserts, (Running Press 2013) is for all who madly, deeply love chocolate desserts, whether or not dietary considerations are an issue.
Her previous cookbook, More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts Naturally (Book Publishing Company 2006) is the basis of the Costigan Vegan Baking Boot Camp Intensive®.
For more information, www.francostigan.com.
