Voting Begins Today for F&W's Best New Pastry Chef

Last month, news spread that Food & Wine was adding a new facet to their annual hunt for the best up and coming talent in the restaurant industry: a people's choice award for the best new pastry chef. Like the original Best New Chefs program, this addition will feature a group of editor-chosen chefs from across the country (between five and 10) and one pastry chef chosen by readers. To be nominated, a chef has to have been in charge of a kitchen for five years or less.

Here are the Bay Area's nominees:

· John Paul Carmona, Manresa
· Kyle Caporicci, Commis
· Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn
· Melissa Chou, Aziza
· Christopher Bleidorn, Benu
· Yuko Fujii, Bushi-tei
· Rikki Garcia, Campton Place
· Francis Ang, Fifth Floor
· Maya Erickson, AQ
· Devin Mc David, Quince
· Ana Paliza-Brown, Txoko
· Kam Golightly, Redd

Voting begins today, ends on the 14th, and the winner of the vote will be announced on the 15th. Restaurateurs, it's time to rev up that Twitter campaign.

· Food & Wine Announces Best New Pastry Chefs Award [~E~]
· The People's Best New Pastry Chef [F&W]