Austin Pastry Chef Competes in National Baking Television Show

Austin Baker Competes
Yolanda Diaz, the executive pastry chef of Rainey Street’s Hotel Van Zandt restaurant Geraldine’s, is competing in the upcoming premiere of Best Baker in America. She will be joined by eight other contenders. The episode, which is themed around Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby due this spring, will consist of two rounds. In the skills round, the bakers will have to create small princess cakes. In the master challenge (which tests usage of flavors and ingredients), they will have to create a celebration cake with elderflower and lemon for 100 people. The ultimate winner will receive $25,000. The episode of the Food Network show airs on Monday, May 13 at 8 p.m.

Lagasse School Grant
Chef Emeril Lagasse’s youth-focused organization Emeril Lagasse Foundation is bringing its garden and kitchen program to Texas for the first time. The Emeril’s Culinary Garden and Teaching Kitchen will be implemented at the Cunningham Elementary School in South Austin. Using a five-year grant, the school create a kitchen where students will be able to cook the produce grown in the updated garden

San Antonio Bakery Expansion
La Panadería, the San Antonio bakery, is expanding with its third location in the Texas city. It will be found in the northwest side of San Antonio though no exact address was provided starting in the summer of 2020. Expect fresh bread and pan dulce.