{"id":2327,"date":"2026-06-14T07:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T07:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.distinctmag.com\/?p=2327"},"modified":"2026-06-30T01:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:14:13","slug":"bouchee-chef","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.distinctmag.com\/index.php\/bouchee-chef\/","title":{"rendered":"Le Moment Sucr\u00e9: Inside Bouch\u00e9e, Montage Laguna Beach&#8217;s Patisserie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-c07808e\" data-block-id=\"c07808e\"><style>.stk-c07808e {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c07808e-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3fa1708\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3fa1708\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3fa1708-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3fa1708-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5af4282f wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-b695071\" id=\"by-jackie-caradonio\" data-block-id=\"b695071\"><style>.stk-b695071 {margin-bottom:var(--stk--preset--spacing--none, 0px) !important;}<\/style><h6 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">By Jackie Caradonio<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-541a6b20\" data-block-type=\"core\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-55c139d\" data-block-id=\"55c139d\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-55c139d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-5ba46b8\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"5ba46b8\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-5ba46b8 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(50% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-5ba46b8-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-5ba46b8-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5af4282f wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\">The Pastry Chef Behind the Laguna Beach Bakery Creations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-block-type=\"core\">When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montage.com\/lagunabeach\/dining\/bouchee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montage Laguna Beach\u2019s Bouch\u00e9e Patisserie<\/a> debuted in February, it was the French-inspired realization of a dream long held by the resort\u2019s executive pastry chef, Lee Smith. \u201cIt has been years in the making,\u201d he says of the sunlit space decorated with pink velvet banquettes and marble countertops. The wait was well worth it\u2014and it came with a silver lining: It gave Smith, whose 25-year career has taken him to Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, ample time to mine his memory for the perfect menu.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-625fd14\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"625fd14\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-625fd14 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(50% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-625fd14-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-625fd14-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-986c9a3\" data-block-id=\"986c9a3\"><style>.stk-986c9a3 .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:423px !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-2335\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011432\/A0V0774.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"Montage Laguna Beach\u2019s Bouch\u00e9e Patisserie chef\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011432\/A0V0774.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011432\/A0V0774-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011432\/A0V0774-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-c4d9e6e\" data-block-id=\"c4d9e6e\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c4d9e6e-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-8c8a44c\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"8c8a44c\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-8c8a44c-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-8c8a44c-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-6a652f0\" data-block-id=\"6a652f0\"><style>.stk-6a652f0 .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:309px !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-2334\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011431\/A0V0715.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" alt=\"Pastries at Montage Laguna Beach bakery\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011431\/A0V0715.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011431\/A0V0715-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011431\/A0V0715-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011431\/A0V0715-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-80b1f54\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"80b1f54\"><style>.stk-80b1f54 {bottom:-50px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-80b1f54-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-80b1f54-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-66bc854\" data-block-id=\"66bc854\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-align-left\">Flavors recalled, combinations filed away, moments of taste carried from kitchens past all informed Lee\u2019s assemblage of 23 new desserts. Coffee eclairs, pistachio choux buns, and strawberry almond petit g\u00e2teau sprang forth from this mental vault, among a collection of delicacies that are not only technically exquisite but emotionally transportive\u2014taking guests to Provence or Paris one precious cake and clafoutis at a time.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-8c495b7\" data-block-id=\"8c495b7\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-8c495b7-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3284742\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3284742\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3284742-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3284742-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ee154e9e wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-block-type=\"core\">Signature Desserts at Bouch\u00e9e<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-ce63644\" data-block-id=\"ce63644\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">More than merely a chance to show off Smith\u2019s pastry-making prowess, Bouch\u00e9e is an opportunity to delve into personal flavor favorites. In doing so, he developed dozens of unique iterations of classic French desserts. One standout, a dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut cake that he named Shobu, after the Japanese flower, is especially meaningful. \u201cIt reminds me of when I first moved to France,\u201d he says. \u201cThose thick, beautiful chocolate bars stuffed with roasted hazelnuts have stayed with me to this day.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Shobu is crafted over several days, with each element prepared independently before final assembly. A tender sponge, a liquid hazelnut center, and a caramel-laced chocolate mousse form the core components. The hazelnut filling is made in advance, frozen until solid, then encased within the mousse, where it gradually returns to a silky liquid as it warms. A small disc of sponge is added at the base to anchor the structure before the cake is frozen, unmolded, and finished with a gleaming, ultra-thin glaze. After a scattering of roasted hazelnuts, Smith adds slivers of 23-karat gold for a dazzling final flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-541a6b20\" data-block-type=\"core\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">The experience of tasting Shobu unfolds, similarly, in phases: The hazelnut arrives first, rich and pronounced, followed by layers of caramel and dark chocolate that Lee describes as \u201cnot too in your face,\u201d but still full of surprises. \u201cYou always want that moment with the first bite,\u201d he says, \u201cwhere something unexpected happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1f78201\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1f78201\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1f78201-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1f78201-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-746a75d\" data-block-id=\"746a75d\"><style>.stk-746a75d {margin-bottom:4px !important;}.stk-746a75d .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:850px !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-2330\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011426\/A0V0163.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" alt=\"Three Shobu pastries at Montage Laguna Beach bakery\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011426\/A0V0163.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011426\/A0V0163-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011426\/A0V0163-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011426\/A0V0163-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Shopu, a signature Bouch\u00e9e cake featuring dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-0ba2392\" data-block-id=\"0ba2392\"><style>.stk-0ba2392 {margin-bottom:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-0ba2392-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-bee7ebf\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"bee7ebf\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-bee7ebf {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-bee7ebf-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-bee7ebf-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-673e0d8\" data-block-id=\"673e0d8\"><style>.stk-673e0d8 .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:413px !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-2328\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011424\/A0V0028.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" alt=\"Montage Laguna Beach\u2019s Bouch\u00e9e Patisserie\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011424\/A0V0028.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011424\/A0V0028-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011424\/A0V0028-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011424\/A0V0028-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-372e0ce\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"372e0ce\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-372e0ce {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 50% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-372e0ce-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-372e0ce-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-12733f7\" data-block-id=\"12733f7\"><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-2336\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011433\/A0V0976.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"Shobu pastries at Montage Laguna Beach bakery\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011433\/A0V0976.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011433\/A0V0976-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011433\/A0V0976-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-ff4f1a8\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"ff4f1a8\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-ff4f1a8 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-ff4f1a8-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-ff4f1a8-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-image stk-block-image stk-block stk-0b954fb\" data-block-id=\"0b954fb\"><style>.stk-0b954fb .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:415px !important;}<\/style><figure><span class=\"stk-img-wrapper stk-image--shape-stretch\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"stk-img wp-image-2331\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011428\/A0V0382.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" alt=\"Chef Lee Smith at Montage Laguna Beach bakery\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011428\/A0V0382.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011428\/A0V0382-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011428\/A0V0382-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/upload.distinctmag.com\/uploads\/2026\/06\/18011428\/A0V0382-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" data-block-type=\"core\"><em>Built over several days, the Shobu cake layers hazelnut, caramel, and dark chocolate into a gleaming entremet finished with roasted hazelnuts and 23-karat gold\u2014a signature Bouch\u00e9e dessert inspired by executive pastry chef Lee Smith\u2019s memories of France.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Bouch\u00e9e, Montage Laguna Beach&#8217;s French-inspired patisserie, executive pastry chef Lee Smith crafts sweet treats that reveal themselves one layer\u2014and one memory\u2014at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[20,38],"class_list":["post-2327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culinary","tag-culinary","tag-summer-fall-26"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.9.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Bouch\u00e9e at Montage Laguna Beach | Meet the Chef<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"At Bouch\u00e9e, executive pastry chef Lee Smith crafts sweet treats that reveal themselves one layer\u2014and one memory\u2014at a time.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.distinctmag.com\/index.php\/bouchee-chef\/\" \/>\n<meta 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