TL/DR –
Valentine’s pastry chef Crystal Kass from Arizona was recognized in Eater’s guide to “The Pastry Chefs Defining Restaurant Dessert Right Now”. Kass was chosen for her innovative desserts that incorporate Southwest ingredients. She has previously been a James Beard semifinalist for outstanding pastry chef or baker, and her Sonoran wheat pretzel was named one of the best dishes in the US by the New York Times in 2022.
Arizona Pastry Chef Shines in Eater’s Dessert Guide
Crystal Kass, an Arizona pastry chef, has been featured in Eater’s guide to dessert innovators. This guide pays tribute to pastry chefs making their mark, especially in the pandemic where their roles have been at risk.
These chefs are creating desserts with unconventional ingredients and techniques, such as black garlic ice cream or huitlacoche meringue. Highlighted chefs hail from New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin, and are recognized for their unique takes on everything from sheet cakes to sundae creations.
Arizona’s Pastry Innovator
Valentine’s pastry chef Crystal Kass has gained national attention for integrating Southwest ingredients into her desserts. Her innovative creations earned her a spot on the James Beard semifinalist list in 2023 for outstanding pastry chef or baker. Plus, her Sonoran wheat pretzel was named among the New York Times’ best dishes in the country in 2022.
A graduate of French Pastry School in Chicago, Kass loves contrasting textures and temperatures in her creations. One of her standout dishes is the hoja santa sundae, a creative twist on the classic mint chip ice cream using a Mexican ingredient that tastes like sassafras. You can savor Kass’s desserts at Valentine in Phoenix’s Melrose district.
Details: Valentine in Phoenix
Address: 4130 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. Phone: 602-612-2961. valentinephx.com
For more dining options, check out this woodcrafted cafe offering stunning drinks and surprising flavors.
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