Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America 2014

Photo by Niko Triantafillou

On Monday, I attended the 2014 Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America awards selected by Dessert Professional Magazine presented by Guittard Chocolate, KitchenAid, Beurremont, Nielsen-Massey, and hosted by Institute of Culinary Education ("ICE"). Each year Dessert Professional Magazine crowns the top 10 pastry chefs in the country.  I look forward to this event each year as the most accomplished pastry chefs are being recognized and honored.  It is a great recognition to their achievement.  Though the most exciting part for me and probably for all the guests is we get to enjoy an array of amazingly creative and delicious plated desserts throughout the evening.  I was fortunate to be able to sample these tasty morsels prepared by the best in the country.

Check out the impressive list of this year's top ten below.  These talented chefs are masters of their trade. As a savory cook, I'm in awe of these extremely creative and skilled pastry chefs.  I also attached photos from the event so you could feast your eyes on their unique pastry creations. 

This year’s Top Ten:

Georges Berger, MOF
Owner, Chocolate Fashion
Miami, FL

Ebow Dadzie
Pastry Chef, NY Marriott Marquis
New York, NY
Pastry Instructor, Monroe College
New Rochelle, NY    

Della Gossett
Executive Pastry Chef, Spago
Los Angeles, CA

Katzie Guy-Hamilton
F&B Director and Corporate Pastry Chef, Max Brenner
Worldwide

Cher Harris
Executive Pastry Chef, The Hotel Hershey
Hershey, PA

Joshua Johnson
Executive Pastry Chef, Vanille Patisserie
Chicago, IL

Ghaya Oliveira
Executive Pastry Chef, Restaurant Daniel
New York, NY

Derek Poirier
Ecole du Grand Chocolate Pastry Chef Western USA, Valrhona USA

Rudi Weider
Master Pastry Chef, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
San Diego, CA

Jennifer Yee
Executive Pastry Chef, Lafayette
New York, NY

Assorted Eclairs: Coconut, Lemon Meringue, Cherry Pistachio, Espresso and Chocolate
Chef Jennfer Yee, Lafayette, NYC

Coconut Lime Dacquoise with Mango Olive Jelly, Coconut Mousse, Mango Pineapple Compote, Banana Lime Sorbet
Chef Ebow Dadzie, Marriott Marquis & Monroe College, NYC

Corn Macaron with Corn Panna Cotta, Jalapeno Gelee, Goat Cheese Dressed Arugula

Chef Joshua Johnson, Vanille Patisserie, Chicago, IL    

Mandarin and Chocolate Hazelnut Sponge, Ginger Caramel Macaron, Smoked Hazelnut Crumble
Chef Cher Harris, Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA

Lychee Panna Cotta
Chef Ebow Dadzie, Marriott Marquis & Monroe College, NYC 

Hazelnuts, Prailaines, Opaly's Bahibe Chocolate
Chef Derek Poirier, Valrhona USA

Suntory Chocolate Torte with Toasted Matcha Pistachio Gelato, Coconut Shaved Ice, Cherries
Chef Katzie Guy-Hamilton, Max Brenner

Cherry Tarte, Rosemary Cherry Compote, Chocolate Financier, Tainori Bavaroise
Chef Ghaya Oliveira, Restaurant Daniel, NYC

Chocolate Expresso Creme Brulee with Bourbon Vanilla Gelato, Salted Caramel Sauce
Chef Rudi Weider, Hilton San Diego, San Diego, CA

Pistachio Brittle & White Peach Mousse
Chef Georges Berger, Chocolate Fashion, Miami, FL

White Chocolate "Crottin" with Surinam Cherry Preserve

Chef Della Gossett, Spago, Los Angeles, CA

Photo by Niko Triantafillou