Lisamarie Gonzalez, award-winning pastry chef, chocolatier and retail baker at Stony Brook Hospital, took center stage with pastry chefs, cake designers and decorators at the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York from March 8 -10, 2020.
The International Cake Decorating Competition at the Javits Center in New York City challenged participants to showcase their cake decorations, inspired by the theme Chalkboard.
“The whimsical cake that I designed has a kiss of earthy tones with a whisper of new age artistic creativity and the sweetness of old school charm,” stated Lisamarie Gonzalez. “It was truly an honor to be one of only six contestants to be chosen out of all of the applicants for the United States.”
She was inspired through many ideas from her family, friends and coworkers and spent many hours practicing her technique before the competition. A panel of industry leaders judged the cake decorations based on the presentation, technique, creativity, neatness and adherence to theme. Each competitor had three hours to set up their cake and complete their cake decorating.
Mrs. Gonzalez was awarded second place in this international competition — 2020 Cake Designer of the Year. As the best and most creative in the industry, she was one of three winners to receive $2,800 in cumulative gift certificates towards products from David Rosen Bakery Supply.
As a graduate of New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Lisamarie has more than 20 years of experience in the kitchen. She has earned accolades from The Garden City Hotel, the historic NYIT de Seversky Mansion and other competitions at the Javits Convention Center. She continues to impress, winning first place at a baking competition at the Société Culinaire Philanthropique, one of the oldest Associations of Chefs, Cooks, Pastry Chefs and other culinary field specialists in the United States.
“Lisamarie brings great artistic expression to her creations as she loves to wow her customers and we are thrilled that she received this well deserved award for her talents,” stated Kevin Daly, Faculty Student Association Catering Manager, Stony Brook Hospital.
The competition is hosted by David Rosen Bakery Supply, which has been supplying and distributing bakery products to commercial and home bakers since 1917.
If you have a birthday or holiday coming up that you would like to celebrate with a custom cake, you can order online through Stony Brook Hospital’s catering website.
Job well done! Congratulations Lisamarie