We’ve reached the nominees for Pastry Chef of the 12 months within the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Our nominees characterize a spread of expertise and experiences.
Some have labored in Michelin-starred kitchens. Others are self-taught small enterprise homeowners. Some are veterans who’ve attracted nationwide consideration. Others are simply beginning to make their mark on Houston’s eating scene.
Regardless of their variations, they’re united by a dedication to their craft and delivering wonderful service to diners. They’re pals and mentors. You’ll discover them elevating cash for all kinds of worthy causes. To not point out how scrumptious their desserts are.
Which restaurant will win? Discover out April 3 on the Tastemaker Awards occasion at Silver Road Studios. We’ll dine on bites from this 12 months’s nominated eating places and sip cocktails from our sponsors earlier than revealing the winners in our brief and candy ceremony.
Purchase your tickets now earlier than they promote out.
Listed below are the nominees for Pastry Chef of the 12 months.
Avril Martinez, Baso
A veteran of Bludorn and Navy Blue, Martinez has made her mark since approaching board at Baso final 12 months. If nothing else, the signature Basque cheesecake has change into a bit fluffier and extra constant. Just like the savory menu, she isn’t afraid to place her spin on nostalgic deal with, reminiscent of a latest dessert impressed by Ferrero Rocher sweet or the recently-introduced olive oil cake with citrus yogurt mousse.
Christina Au, Blacksmith
Having received this award in 2022, it’s no shock to see Au again among the many nominees. She continues to steer a workforce that producers truffles, cookies, muffins, and extra for a few of Houston’s greatest espresso outlets. She additionally crafts seasonal specials, throws the occasional pop-up, and participates in neighborhood fundraisers.
Emily Rivas, Josephine’s
No go to to the Gulf Coast-inspired Midtown restaurant is full with out a few of Rivas’ creations. Begin together with her rigorously crafted, delicately layered biscuits with seasonal jams. Her banana pudding reveals specific aptitude. Its miso-butterscotch provides a welcome salty element, whereas its vanilla wafers add a lot wanted crunch. Don’t miss it.
Josh Deleon, Underground Creamery
The ice cream maker has come a good distance since slinging pints from his Galleria-area residence. Deleon’s weekly flavors drops — usually impressed by both some nostalgic reminiscence or a dish he’s eaten at a Houston restaurant — nonetheless promote out each time, however he’s additionally expanded manufacturing to maintain pints in stock for individuals who want a mid-week repair. As his profile has grown, Deleon has remained an outspoken advocate for causes he believes in.
Kelly Helgesen, Nancy’s Hustle
The pastry chef shocked Nancy’s regulars final fall when she took the signature cheesecake with black pepper honey off the menu. Nonetheless, change may be good, particularly when it opens the door for latest creations reminiscent of baked Alaska, apple napoleon with willoughby cheese ice cream, or vanilla ice cream with chili crisp. Whereas the particular dishes could change, diners ought to all the time save room for Helgesen’s desserts.
Marie Riddle, Bludorn Hospitality
Having already received followers for her carrot cake and key lime pie at Navy Blue, Riddle continues to make a mark with every of the corporate’s opening. At Bar Bludorn, don’t miss the Martellus, a chocolate cake with salted caramel named for Cowboys fan favourite Martellus Bennett, or the foie gras sweet bar that is available in its personal field. Riddle showcases the French strategies she discovered whereas working for celebrity chef Daniel Boulud at Perseid, with a raspberry eclair and beignets that make journeys to Cafe Du Monde virtually utterly pointless.
Micaela Victoria, Goodnight Hospitality
A local of Argentina who attended pastry faculty in Paris, Victoria first made her mark domestically at Ciel. Final 12 months, she joined Goodnight Hospitality, the place she oversees the desserts for all 4 of the their ideas. That features every thing from the buzzy sundae cart at The Marigold Membership to the fragile mignardise that finish each meal at Michelin-starred March. Beneath her supervision, the gelatos at Rosie Cannonball stay as wealthy and satisfying as ever.
Rebecca Masson, Fluff Bake Bar
With Fluff Bake Bar celebrating its 14th anniversary this Friday, March 21, the time has come to acknowledge that Masson is the queen of Houston’s pastry scene. Staples just like the Sofa Potato cookie and Star Crossed Lover anchor Fluff’s menu. Her Saturday bake gross sales, which continuously embody collaboration with native cooks, all the time draw lengthy traces and fast promote outs. In the meantime, she continues to help a spread of worthy causes, together with the Southern Smoke Basis and the upcoming Style of the Nation for No Child Hungry.
Ruchit Harneja, Berg Hospitality
Creating distinct desserts for a corporation with as many various as Berg Hospitality may be problem, however Harneja is as much as the duty. Whether or not it’s milkshakes at Buttermilk Child, s’mores at Prime 131, or the eye-catching citrus meringue at Turner’s Lower, depend on Harneja’s dessert to be each artfully crafted and scrumptious. No surprise he represented North America in final 12 months’s World Chocolate Masters competitors.
Stephanie Velasquez, Ema/Papalo Taqueria
Maybe no pastry chef in Houston has had a greater 12 months than Velasquez. Not solely did Ema, the smash hit, Mexico Metropolis-inspired cafe she operates together with her accomplice Nicolas Vera, earn a Bib Gourmand designation within the Michelin Information, however Ema’s Horchata Berlinesa obtained a shoutout within the New York Instances. With Ema incomes a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Finest New Restaurant, it’s secure to say the variety of individuals lining up for Velasquez’s conchas and different pastries received’t be getting shorter any time quickly.
Van Teemer, Pudgy’s Wonderful Cookies
Many bakeries try to place their spin on thick cookies within the fashion of New Your Metropolis’s celebrated Levain Bakery. Teemer’s cookies stand out with their fudgy inside texture, crispy edges, and consistency from batch to batch. Weekly specials just like the “Depart Me Malone” — a salted caramel sandwich cookie made in tribute to singer Put up Malone — imply diners all the time have one thing new to strive.
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The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is delivered to you by Stella Artois, PicMe Occasions, and extra to be introduced. A portion of proceeds will profit our nonprofit accomplice, the Southern Smoke Basis.
