At the Farmers Market: Jinou Edible Art

After receiving her master's degree in art in Paris, Jinou Nikjou realized it wasn't easy making a living in her field.

Cooking had always played an important role in her childhood, with her family baking every day, so Nikjou decided to study pastry and combine that with her love of art.

"When I was in school the chef would always say 'eyes, mouth,' "  said Nikjou, whose family was originally from Tehran, Iran,  but moved to Paris  when she was a child. "Which meant you eat first with your eyes and then with your mouth, and they should both be great."

Nikjou eventually found her way to the U.S. "for love," and on a recent Saturday morning at the Calabasas Farmers Market, she greeted many of the regulars to her Jinou Edible Art booth with two kisses on each cheek.

"Everything is gorgeous because there's obviously that artistic touch," Chatsworth resident Renne Patton said about Nikjou's cakes.

One of her most popular pastries is the Croix de Lorraine. A recipe from 17th century France, it's made with natural powdered almonds, sugar, egg whites, praline powder and vanilla. There are no egg yolks, flour, butter or preservatives in it.

The cake became popular in Lorraine, France, and was originally decorated with the picture of the double cross of the Duke of Lorraine, hence the name Croix de Lorraine, Nikjou explained.

"I love what I do because when you do something with love the result is perfect," she said. "If you don't do it with love, it doesn't work."

Download the movie