OG Jacques Pépin Celebrates 80 Years With 80 Cakes

Legendary chef, TV personality, and cookbook author Jacques Pépin turns 80 this year. To celebrate his entry into octogenarianism, the International Association of Culinary Professionals honored Pépin at its annual conference in Washington, D.C. yesterday with a staggering 80 birthday cakes.

Big names in attendance included Daniel Boulud, José Andrés, Jacques Torres, Michael Laiskonis, and a host of other chefs and industry folks. Pépin, who recently suffered a minor stroke, was not in attendance ("doctor's orders," he said in a tweet) but did speak to the crowd via video link. Following the event all the cakes were auctioned off, with proceeds going to support the IACP's philanthropic foundation.

Laughing and celebrating legendary Jacques Pepin with friends @chefjoseandres @sarasmoulton @mlaiskonis #80thBirthday

A photo posted by Jacques Torres (@jacquestorres) on Mar 27, 2015 at 5:23pm PDT

The crowd toasts to Pépin:

Toasting Jacques! @jacques_pepin @IACPculinary @culinarytrust #80Cakes #IACP15 pic.twitter.com/a2wIw9N3E9

— Michael Edwards (@ProfEdwards) March 28, 2015

Spago pastry chef Della Gossett contributed this cake:

Honored to be a part of Jacques Pepin's birthday celebration#80cakes#jacquespepin#iacpculinary#iacp15#spagobeverlyhills

A photo posted by Dellagossett (@dellagossett) on Mar 27, 2015 at 7:34pm PDT

From San Francisco pastry chef Ian Farrell:

Cake for Jacques Pépin's 80th @IACPculinary Conf. up for auction made by @bamco chef Ian Farrell #80Cakes #IACP15 pic.twitter.com/4gEU8hf4hP

— JuliaChildFoundation (@JuliaChildJCF) March 28, 2015

Overachiever Sherry Yard contributed an epic 80-layer Dobos Torte:

Want a slice? Doralece of Sur La Table was the winning bidder for my 80-layer Dobos Torte. She brought her winnings to Rasika and shared with the entire restaurant! #jacquespepin #80cakes #IACP15

A photo posted by Sherry Yard (@chefsherryyard) on Mar 28, 2015 at 5:24pm PDT

Baltimore's Charm City Cakes made a mini version of Pépin on the set of his upcoming PBS show:

Congrats @jacques_pepin on 80 years and Heart&Soul (premiering on @PBS Fall 2015)! Checkout @KQED at #ICAP in DC! pic.twitter.com/BT1E2VrnfR

— Charm City Cakes (@Charm_CityCakes) March 27, 2015

From The Inn at Little Washington chef Patrick O'Connell:

Best cake (ever) from last night's #IACP15 launch party! #IACP #JacquesPépin #lobstercake #80cakes

A photo posted by @vondiaz on Mar 28, 2015 at 7:28am PDT

So. Many. Cakes:

Some of the over 100 #cakes representated at #jacquespepin #80th #birthday #celebration @iacpculinary #washingtondc #washingtonian #love #pastrychef #design #art #dessert #dessertworthy #cheflife #french #legend #beauty #master #instafood #instamood #instagramhub #foodie #foodporn #foodstagram #picoftheday #bakery #baker

A photo posted by Pichet Ong (@pichetong) on Mar 28, 2015 at 8:27am PDT

Happy birthday @jacques_pepin from ICE & @mlaiskonis! @IACPculinary #IACP15 #80Cakes pic.twitter.com/N7ZHrnxOwW

— ICE (@iceculinary) March 27, 2015

Very honored to join in the celebration for Jacques Pepins #80th Bday! #jacquespepin #80cakes #fraisier @dbgbdc

A photo posted by @celiasprout on Mar 27, 2015 at 9:43pm PDT

@iacppix so many beautiful cakes for Jacques Pepins 80 Birthday Cakes Celebration tonight #IACP15 #jacquespepin #80cakes

A photo posted by Christy Majors (@christymajors) on Mar 27, 2015 at 9:08pm PDT

From Martha Stewart's test kitchen crew:

Our test kitchen @42burners & @jaschreiber made a cake replica of the cover of the cookbook "LaTechnique" by #JacquesPepin. Martha presented this today for his 80th birthday! Are you familiar with this fabulous cookbook? #marthabakes Photo from @jaschreiber

A photo posted by Martha Stewart (@marthastewart) on Mar 27, 2015 at 7:30pm PDT

An amazing chocolate stove sculpture by chocolatier Jacques Torres:

This is a stunning chocolate sculpture made by @jacquestorres for Jacques Pepin's 80th birthday celebration. Excited to celebrate! #IACP15 #80Cakes

A photo posted by Salt & Co. (@saltandco) on Mar 27, 2015 at 2:43pm PDT

From D.C.-based Paisley Fig Bakery:

Nearly 500 flowers later, @paisleyfig's own @katyskakes #JacquesPepin cake is complete. @iacpculinary #80cakes #eeeeeats #foodwinewomen #acreativedc

A photo posted by Room 11 (@room11dc) on Mar 27, 2015 at 10:29am PDT

There was even a cake version of Pépin's upcoming cookbook:

Can't resist this cake from #IACP15 #80Cakes of @jacques_pepin new cookbook coming this Fall! pic.twitter.com/Ysvtj9mjaE

— HMH Cooks (@HMHCooks) March 28, 2015

Here's to many more, Chef Pépin.

#IACP15 @jacques_pepin #80Cakes @chefjoseandres @DanielBoulud @Bourdain @jacquestorres @Chef_Keller @MarthaStewart pic.twitter.com/USNZY0drwx

— Jetsetters Fly-In™ (@JetSettersFlyIn) March 28, 2015

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