Zac Young

Named one of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America 2015 by Dessert Professional, Chef Zac Young is known for his playful takes on American desserts including the all-in-one Thanksgiving dessert sensation, The PieCaken. After graduating with honors from the Baking and Pastry Arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education, he went straight to the top, working under Sebastian Rouxel and Richard Capizzi at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery. In 2006, his talents were recognized by Alexandra Guarnaschelli and he spent four years working as Pastry Chef at her downtown New York hot-spot, Butter Restaurant. Always hungry for more, Zac then trained in France under renowned Chefs Philipe Givre at Valrhona and Philipe Park at Chocolate Michel Cluizel. After he returned to New York, Zac started a Donut Revolution with his dessert program at Flex Mussels Restaurants, also operating two pop-up donut stores in Grand Central Station. During that time he was included on the New York Times list of the Best Donuts in New York City, compelling the paper’s restaurant critic, Frank Bruni, to write, “how lucky of us to find room for dessert.” In 2012, Zac joined the David Burke Group, now known as Craveable Hospitality Group: a nationwide restaurant group specializing in food and beverage management, licensing, and consulting. As Pastry Director, he oversees the dessert creations of the company’s proprietary restaurants and bars including David Burke Prime, David Burke fabrick, David Burke at Bloomingdales, David Burke Kitchen-Soho, Aspen Kitchen, JIMMY, and Spyglass Rooftop Bar. Several new full-service concepts are currently in the works. He also develops new concepts for licensing and consulting partnerships with Legends Hospitality (Angry Taco, Bacon Bar, Handwich Shop, Caputo Pizzeria, Fat Belly Clam Shack) and Silver Spot Cinemas (Trilogy Restaurants) Zac is best known for his Final Four finish on the inaugural season of Bravo’s “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” and his signature wit and pastry wisdom showcased on The Cooking Channel’s long running show, “Unique Sweets.” He frequently appears on Food Network as a judge on shows such as “Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Worst Cooks in America,” “King of Cones,” “Bakers vs. Fakers,” and “Worst Bakers in America.” Zac has had the privilege to cook at The James Beard House in New York City, and twice at their Hamptons event, Chefs and Champagne. He was honored when Food & Wine magazine selected him to sail the high seas as one of Holland America Cruise Line’s “Chef On Board” When Zac grows up, he wants to be a competitive Dim Sum Eater.