AUSTRIAN DESSERTS/PAST CL(FERCHER

Whether it'¬"s delicious Esterhazyschnitten (meringue slices with buttercream filling), fluffy Schaumrollen (puff pastry rolls filled with soft vanilla meringue), or classic Bundt cake, these desserts represent the finest of Austrian cuisine. Viennese pastry chef Dietmar Fercher offers 180 of his irresistible recipes, photographed by Konrad Limbeck with mouthwatering results. Sophisticated and diverse, these desserts will satisfy any palate. Enjoy personal anecdotes on the scrumptious traditional pastries while also learning the basics of sweet baking.

Dietmar Fercher learned his trade in Spittal an der Drau and worked as the master confectioner at the Kurkonditorei Oberlaa and as head patissier for the Hilton hotels in Vienna and Düsseldorf, as well as for the Imperial hotels. His café-patisserie, which he has owned for more than twenty years, has won the Golden Coffeebean award. He lives in Vienna, Austria.

Andrea Karrer, born in 1963, is a versatile ambassador of Austrian culinary traditions. She has a weekly radio show, writes newspaper columns, works with Austrian chef Christian Petz, appears on TV, and writes wonderfully tempting cookbooks. She lives in Vienna, Austria.

Konrad Limbeck, born in 1974 in Upper Bavaria, has felt drawn to culinary delights since his childhood. He is a professional photographer and works for a number of lifestyle magazines. Limbeck lives in Vienna, Austria.