May this be the 12 months that San Antonio’s pastry artisans lastly get their standing ovation? Definitely, their work has been ignored for too lengthy by a culinary world that insists that throwing a steak on a grill takes extra finesse than working with leavened dough.
We cry horsefeathers. The pastry arts contain science, artwork, and no small quantity of endurance. Greater than something popping out of a kitchen, desserts are what make a very memorable meal. That’s why we have fun flour-dusted warriors annually by giving out the CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Pastry Chef of the Yr.
This 12 months, our nominee record is longer than ever, Peek into their genius by studying beneath. Then be part of us on April 4 as we crown this 12 months’s victor at a lavish celebration at Briscoe Museum. Just a few tickets are nonetheless up for grabs on-line.
Alba Ayala and Jessica Philpot, Additional FineOne might by no means malign this Monte Vista’s store’s sweets. The cinnamon roll right here certainly flattens any nostalgia one might need for a sure nationwide chain. However Ayala’s and Philpot’s savory pastries elevate the bar even greater. Japanese milk bread relieves all of the denseness of conventional klobásníky; The pesto ought to make most pizza joints dangle their head in disgrace.
Alessia Benavides, ChocolatlHere’s the unhealthy information. Chocolatl is an online-only enterprise. The watch for Benavides’ suave bon bons can really feel excruciating. However that anticipation is earned every time a field is opened. Although the flavors are all the time approachable, every chunk expands the chances of what chocolate could be. Whether or not evoking the tropics with passionfruit and guava, or summer season camp with a s’mores, her treats are all the time transporting.
Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell, Bakery LorraineThere are few sweeter spots for a meet-cute. Ng and Mandrell met at Thomas Keller’s fabled Bouchon Bakery earlier than settling in San Antonio, a connection that ceaselessly modified town’s pastry arts. From the early days working a farmers market stand to their present gig working a mini empire, the pair show that huge names on a resumé are much less vital than the large identify one makes at dwelling.
Elise Russ, ClementineClementine’s menu presently boasts a crunch bar, a cheesecake, a strawberry shortcake, and a crème brûlée, desserts that dwelling bakers have been making for generations. That’s how Russ will get you. Whereas it is clear that she understands desserts ought to be basically pleasurable, she by no means lets familiarity spoil the shock. Her desserts all the time ask “what else,” discovering nuance in timeworn recipes via sudden texture and world flavors.
Grecia Ramos, BakedLike her husband, 2M Smokehouse pitmaster Esaul Ramos, Grecia Ramos appears to have a preternatural capability to search out the right texture in the whole lot she does. Baked’s social media feeds obsess over lamination, showcasing pastry cross sections that might double as a bee hive. Sure, these flaky layers will doubtless bathe your plate and your lap. A croissant hasn’t carried out its job in case you don’t should shake it off.
Jenn Riesman, Rooster Crow BakeryOne of San Antonio’s foremost journeywomen, Reisman paid her dues at luxurious properties like Omni La Mansion, Resort Emma, and Fairmont Resort. Now along with her Shavano Park bakery, she will get to deliver all of the flowers dwelling. The transfer gave her the area to precise her trademark humor (her valentine’s cookies have been piped with “daddy” and “slut”) with out abdicating her throne as San Antonio’s undisputed queen of pies.
José and David Cáceres, La PanaderíaWhen La Panadería opened in 2014, meals media nonetheless upheld European baking traditions as the usual. With a deep devotion to their Mexican heritage, the brothers Cácares modified the paradigm. Fusing French, Italian, and American strategies with conventional pan, the siblings helped open the doorways for an expanded appreciation of what’s worthy of a headline.
Tina Kent, Bread BoxOn most days this tough working entrepreneur could be spied on via the store window, rigorously piping flowers, bows, and dots. Typically, discussions of baking heart on the science that provides truffles a young crumb or cookies a snap. Kent’s breathtaking confections argue that the painter’s smock is simply as vital because the lab coat.
