Try not to salivate while reading about these sweet nominees for Pastry Chef of the Year and their delectable desserts. From flaky crusted pies and cream-filled cookies to croissants, cruffins, cakes, and everything in between, the lineup of treats from this talented crew is over the top.

Sample some of their sweets during the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, now just a couple weeks away! The culinary extravaganza will feature bites and sips from dozens of nominees, and a short-and-sweet awards ceremony will be emceed by chef Jon Bonnell.

See all of the Tastemaker Award nominees here and learn more about them in our special editorial series. And find tickets here for general admission and VIP entry. The latter includes early access to all the food and fun, valet parking, and a dedicated bar.

Here are the 10 nominees for Pastry Chef of the Year, listed in alphabetical order:

Lea Ann Bray-Salinas, Texas Harvest Pie Co.
Since 2010, Lea Ann Bray-Salinas has operated her family-owned bakery in Old Town Keller, serving not only pies but cobblers, cookies, bars, brownies, cupcakes, quiche, and more. Signature pies range from lemon chess to Mexican hot chocolate. Cream pies, like coconut and chocolate banana, can come with whipped cream or meringue. Orders are placed in advance for pick up, meaning Bray-Salinas keeps busy with event catering, too. Her pick-up location is within the Keller History Museum at 133 Bates St.

Michael Hart, Blue Bonnet Bakery
In 1993, Michael Hart’s family purchased Blue Bonnet Bakery, which had been in business since the Roberts family opened it in 1934. The iconic bakery and cake shop had been located at 3900 Camp Bowie Blvd., where Hart helped his mother with the business during school breaks. In 2010, the Harts moved Blue Bonnet to a 1920s church just down the street (4705 Camp Bowie Blvd.), its current location that provides plenty of room for custom cake orders along with cookies, pies, cupcakes, and sweets of all kinds. Hart bakes the cakes and decorates all tier cakes, in addition to making weekend deliveries.

Lindsey Lawing, Sweet Lucy's Pies
Lindsey Lawing elevated the pie game in Fort Worth when she debuted her thick and flaky crust pies more than a decade ago, first selling at pop-ups and then at local farmers markets. Now she’s celebrating two years in her own shop (3520 Blue Bonnet Circle), where she’s become known for fan favorites like TX Whiskey pecan pie, grapefruit meringue pie, and The Sweet Lucy strawberry pie named for her young daughter. She also sells pie crusts and seasonal savory hand pies and pot pies.

Tasha Monticure, Bodega South Main
Tasha Monticure followed in her mother's and grandfather’s footsteps of owning and operating boutique grocery stores when she opened Bodega South Main in 2020 (203 S, Main St.). She was previously a caterer who specialized in baking, and it shows in her pastry offerings that delight customers, along with her savory soups, sandwiches, and salads like edible terrariums. Sweet treats range from coconut cake and lemon curd tarts to cinnamon rolls and ginger molasses cream pies.

Hans Peter Muller, Swiss Pastry Shop
Swiss Pastry Shop began with the elder Hans Muller, who left Switzerland for the U.S. and opened the bakery more than 50 years ago. But it’s Han Peter, Muller’s son, who’s grown the bakery (3936 W. Vickery Blvd.) into the time-honored destination it is today. It's recognized widely for its fresh pastries, pies, breads, cookies, and Swiss classics, like the iconic black forest cake. A viral sensation which has been a staple for Fort Worth special occasions for decades, is made with layers of crispy, chewy meringue cake with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Anna Narinian, D’Caramel Patisserie
After relocating to Southlake from Europe for her husband’s job, Anna Narinian opened her French bakery (2211 E. Southlake Blvd.) in 2023. Her pastry knowledge came from studying under different pastry chefs while in France, and she still travels overseas for classes today. Patrons will find French favorites like croissants, pavlova, danishes, pain au chocolat, cruffins, and other viennoiserie treats.

Kris Trawick, Baked Bread & Pastry Co.
Kris Trawick left a career in insurance to follow her passion for baking, quitting her job in 2017 to go to culinary school as well as embark on intensive training around the country in sourdough, bagels, and croissants. She started Baked Bread & Pastry Co. as a food truck in 2019 before opening a brick-and-mortar location (401 Cleveland Rd.) in Granbury in 2023. Pastries range from danishes and bear claws to coffee cakes and whoopie pies.

Nicole Ward, Sinsational Cakes
Nicole Ward’s love of baking began at the age of 7, eventually leading her to attend culinary school and work in pastry for AT&T Stadium. She now owns Sinsational Cakes in North Richland Hills (5750 Davis Blvd.) with her sister Sonji, where she creates elaborate cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, tarts, bars, and specialty custom cakes. The duo has also appeared more than once on Food Network, winning the “Miss America” Cupcake Wars Challenge in 2013.

Chad William, Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The Dallas native has extensive hotel and hospitality experience in the pastry department, working at hotels like the Sheraton Dallas, Virgin Hotel Dallas, and The Adolphus. At the latter, she oversaw desserts at City Hall Bistro, pastries at Otto’s Coffee, and mignardise at the French Room. Prior to joining the Omni Fort Worth Hotel as pastry sous chef, William was the pastry chef at Georgie in Dallas and consulted various small bakeries.

Christine White, Shady Oaks Country Club
Working with head pastry chef Janice Gloria, Christine White is the pastry sous chef at Shady Oaks Country Club, where she dazzles members and guests with her cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, and desserts. After obtaining a degree in pastry arts from El Centro College, White began her baking career as a bread baker for restaurants like Bolsa and Smoke Dallas. She learned how to decorate cakes and cookies at Bird Bakery in Highland Park before joining Shady Oaks in 2022.

The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is brought to you by The Yuengling Company, Still Austin Whiskey, Hornitos, PicMe Events, and more to be announced soon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Fort Worth Food and Wine Foundation.