MEET EMMERICH ZACH: MASTER PASTRY CHEF

Emmerich Zach’s artist’s eye, classical European training and finely honed craftsmanship has made him one of the Philadelphia area’s premier cake designers since the opening of his first konditorei in the Northeast section of the city in 1981. Renowned for his imaginative custom designs and dramatic sculptured theme cakes, he has created confections for many of the area’s most important social, corporate, political and cultural events over the past two decades.

A sampling of these events includes: The Fleischer Art Memorial 100th Anniversary, The Pennsylvania Ballet’s Rock School Tribute to Edmond Bacon, International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Kosher Philadelphia Tour (with author Joan Nathan and Julia Child), Groundbreaking for the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Groundbreaking for the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Mayor‘s Annual City Hall Gala, the dedication of Community College of Philadelphia’s Center for Business and Industry, 20th Anniversary of Campbell’s Soup Family Care Center, 250th Anniversary of Pennsylvania Hospital, and 125 Years of Women at Penn.

Born in the famous Austrian spa town of Baden Bei Wien in 1942 Emmerich Zach trained in some of the top konditoreien in his hometown, Salzburg and Vienna. Mr. Zach learned the art of Old World baking and decorating. under some of the best-known pastry chefs in a country world-famous for its elegant sweets. In Austria, it takes many years of study and training to earn the certification of Konditor Meister (Master Pastry Chef). Emmerich Zach has been a certified Konditor Meister since 1964.

 During what had started out to be a brief visit to the United States in 1964, Mr. Zach fell in love with Philadelphia and decided to stay. He became a U.S. citizen and spent a number of years as a baker and decorator for several of the area’s top pastry shops until he opened Zach’s Cakes and Pastries of Distinction in 1981.

In 1992, Zach’s Cakes and Pastries of Distinction was invited to become Kosher certified by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Rabbinical Assembly of America. This certification, coupled with his signature designs, has made Zach’s the choice for many of the area’s most prestigious catering firms.

Along with his wife Joan, Emmerich Zach opened a second retail location called Zach’s Delectable Necessities in Philadelphia’s Spring Garden/Parkway area in June of 2000. In addition to carrying a full line of Zach’s cakes and pastries, the store also offered a variety of gourmet snacks, coffees, teas, ice creams and confections.

Active members of the community, the Zachs sponsored a wide range of business and charitable activities including: The Leukemia Society’s Annual Bridesmaids Ball, Miss Philadelphia Scholarship Pageant, SCANTASTIC, Jean Ruddy Dance Group and Performance Garage, Maternity Care Coalition and the MOMobile, Les Dames d’Escoffier Annual Fundraiser, Historic Rittenhouse Fall Festival, Eastern State Penitentiary Bastille Day Festivities and Friends of Eastern State Walk and Run, and Lawndale Business Association Halloween Walk and Harvest Festival. The Zachs have also developed their own promotions to support charitable organizations, including an annual holiday gingerbread house fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.

Mr. Zach and his decorated cakes and confections have been featured on numerous occasions on television as well as magazine and newspaper articles. He is often called upon to demonstrate recipes and techniques for professional and consumer audiences. Currently, he is a Chef Instructor at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. He has also served as an Adjunct Guest Instructor at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. And, Viking Culinary Arts Center listed Mr. Zach as a Guest Chef for one of their Winter Culinary Programs.

Mr. Zach is a member of the Retailer’s Bakery Association (RBA), Master Bakers Business Association of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Pastry Society, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.