News Best New Pastry Chefs 2013 The winners of this year's Best New Pastry Chef awards, presented by Godiva, deconstruct some of the dazzling desserts that show off their skill and sensibilities. By Kate Heddings Kate Heddings Instagram Kate Heddings is an experienced food writer and editor with a deep understanding of chefs, restaurants and recipes. She was a food editor at Food & Wine for over 17 years, during which time she got to eat and drink all over the US. She has also authored 3 cookbooks. With the exception of raw onions, Kate will eat just about anything, though desserts are her sweet spot. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 31, 2015 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo © Andrew Thomas Lee Melanie Durant Empire State South, Atlanta Why She Won The majority of Durant's desserts start with a vegetable or herb. She builds from there, using old-fashioned techniques (no hydrocolloids) to achieve fantastic flavors and combinations. Deconstructed Dessert: Popping Flan Photo © Eric Wolfinger Stephanie Prida Manresa, Los Gatos, CA Why She Won Prida creates delicious, beautiful, complex desserts. Her classical training at The Elysian and Blackbird in Chicago makes her a technical whiz, while Manresa's location, near the central California coast, puts her in touch with some of the best raw ingredients in the world. Deconstructed Dessert: Plums with Cream Cheese & Buckwheat Ice Cream Photo © Nicole Franzen Bob Truitt Ai Fiori, New York City, and The Altamarea Group Why He Won Using ideas learned in avant-garde restaurants, Truitt creates witty, magical plates like this take on "toad in the hole," which looks like a savory egg dish but is actually passion fruit cream with caramelized brioche. Deconstructed Dessert: Pane Caramello Photo © Eric Kleinberg Photography Sarah Jordan Boka and GT Fish & Oyster, Chicago Why She Won Without any formal training, Jordan has created her own bold, risk-taking style. Her signature is using savory elements—flavoring caramel, for instance, with ingredients like miso, soy or beer. Deconstructed Dessert: Chocolate Crémeux with Candied Pretzels, Potato Chips & Beer Caramel Photo © Michael Piazza Monica Glass Clio and Uni Sashimi Bar, Boston Why She Won Pretty, dainty and feminine, Glass's French-inflected desserts are exquisitely balanced. Each plate contains several components that show just the right amount of restraint. Deconstructed Dessert: Violet Vacherin Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit