Pastry Arts Podcast

A first-generation American whose roots trace back to Portugal, Pastry Chef Stephanie Oliveira brings a deep sense of heritage, discipline, and creativity to her craft. She earned her bachelor's degree in Baking and Pastry Arts Management from The Culinary Institute of America in 2010, where she was awarded the prestigious Les Dames d'Escoffier scholarship in recognition of her talent and promise.

Stephanie began her professional journey with the Dinex Group in New York City, where she played an integral role in launching DBGB, Boulud Sud, and Épicerie Boulud under the direction of Chef Daniel Boulud. Her career quickly accelerated as she joined the opening team at Hakkasan, contributing to the restaurant's achievement of a Michelin star within its first year. After two years, she was promoted to Pastry Chef.

She later led the opening of Pâtisserie Chanson as Head Pastry Chef, bringing refined pastry techniques and creativity to the forefront. Her experience expanded into luxury retail dining as the Executive Pastry Chef for L'Avenue at Saks, working alongside iconic French pastry chef Pierre Hermé.

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Cecilia Gaudioso has a deep-rooted passion for pastry arts that traces back to her family's bakery, which was established in the 1930s. She earned an Associate's Degree in Pastry Arts from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cecilia began her pastry career with an internship at the Historic Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, where she worked as a pastry chef for 12 years, crafting desserts for the café, The Green Room, and banquets. She further honed her cake decorating skills while working at The Master's Baker in West Chester, PA. In November 2015, Cecilia joined Restaurant Associates at Longwood Gardens, where she oversees daily pastry production for the Café and 1906 restaurants, assists in coordinating catering events, and collaborates on seasonal menus, all while upholding the standards and traditions of Longwood Gardens. Longwoodgardens.org

In this episode we discuss:

• How her family's bakery may have planted the seed for a career in pastry
• Soaking up knowledge at the Restaurant School in Philadelphia
• How an internship led to a 12-year stint at The Hotel DuPont
• Learning the craft of making custom cakes at The Master's Baker
• Landing a job at Longwood Gardens
• How she incorporates herbs and flowers into her desserts
• Balancing being a mom with her responsibilities as an Executive Pastry Chef
• Cecilia's best career advice
• And much more!

Episode Sponsored by​

Puratos

Joy Wilson, also known as Joy the Baker, is a self-taught baker, cookbook author, and blogger who has been delighting readers and home bakers with her warm, relatable voice and mouth-watering recipes for over a decade. Originally from Los Angeles, Joy spent ten years soaking up the vibrant flavors of New Orleans before recently relocating to the charming small town of Bellville, Texas. In her new home, Joy continues to embrace her love for baking, now with a Texas twist, while settling into life in her historic house and prepping the space for future baking classes. With a knack for turning everyday ingredients into something special and a passion for bringing people together around the table, Joy's work is as much about creating joy in the kitchen as it is about sharing stories and experiences. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, Joy's approachable holiday recipes and delightful personality make her the perfect companion in the kitchen.