Asia Takes Pastry Crown
Asia Mahealani McDonagh, owner of Mahealani Pastries in Galway, was announced as the winner of the first-ever Irish Pâtisserie Championship, sponsored by Odaios Foods and Valrhona Chocolate, yesterday at the inaugural DNA Pastry Unwrapped Conference at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus.
The title was awarded to Asia yesterday after a six-hour live finale against five other talented pastry chefs from Ireland’s top restaurants and hotels.
Asia, who is originally from Hawaii and spent time in California and Paris, settled in Ireland after meeting her now husband in Galway. She impressed the panel of elite international judges, including Head Judge and Global Director of Chocolate for Red Carnation Hotels Paula Stakelum, with a trio of creations: a plant-based café gourmandise dessert, an intricately plated fine dining dessert, and a chocolate showpiece entitled “Mahealani” after her Hawaiian middle name meaning the light of the full moon.
Speaking after her win, Asia said:
“I feel incredibly honoured to have won this title. The standard was very high, and to be recognised by such a prestigious panel is a dream come true. I poured my heart into every detail, and I am so grateful to Odaios Foods and Valrhona for this opportunity to grow and learn from the best in the business.”
As part of the prize, Asia will travel to Dubai for an exclusive training experience at L’École Valrhona, where some of the world’s top pastry chefs teach the next generation of innovators in the field.
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