Phoenix’s culinary scene is abuzz with a rising force of creativity and skill—female pastry chefs who are setting the dessert world on fire. These talented women have mastered the art of transforming simple ingredients into delectable masterpieces that captivate the taste buds and ignite the imagination.
From intricate cakes to delicate pastries, their creations not only showcase their technical prowess but also reflect their unique perspectives and stories. Join us as we delve into the thriving world of female pastry chefs in Phoenix, where innovation and sweetness intertwine to push culinary boundaries.
jolie skwiercz – wrigley mansion
As executive pastry chef of Wrigley Mansion, Skwiercz—who competed on her college’s ice carving team—has the golden touch, and it is no wonder given she is an Olympian. However, it is not for ice carving. The Michigan native was chosen as among the talented chefs across the nation to cook for American competitors during the 2012 Olympics in London. The seemingly intimidating task was nothing new for Skwiercz. Though still in her early 20s, by then she had already served over 23,000 people across 10 buffets daily during the PGA Championship at the country club where she worked.
Skwiercz moved to Arizona in 2013 and for the next near decade she sweetened up tourists’ and locals’ lives across the Valley at The Wigwam, Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, and Café Monarch, before joining the Wrigley Mansion as executive pastry chef in 2021. Today, she leads a team of culinary rock stars in creating edible sculptures, dreaming up wild event dessert stations, pairing seasonal inspirations with wine tasting and chef’s table menus, and consistently delivering a gold medal-worthy, ever-changing lineup of delights for nightly guests.
stephanie bartlett – we ko pa casino resort
The executive pastry chef of We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort has a big job. The role oversees all things sweet and treat across the award-winning resort’s six dining outlets: Ember, the Buffet, Ahnala, WKP Sports & Entertainment, the Market, and Daubs. And then there is the catering and events side as well.
But it is all in a day’s work for Stephanie Bartlett, who took on the job in February 2023, just in time to crank out literally thousands of desserts during Valentine’s Day weekend, which is sort of the Superbowl of dessert season. Unrattled and eager to show the Arizona culinary world what she could do, Bartlett relished the challenge. After all, she had Mickey on her side…as in Mouse.
Bartlett happens to be the former pastry chef assistant for The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, working at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. In addition to her endlessly long list of regular duties, Bartlett also coordinated pastries for events, photoshoots, and executive-level tastings. Prior, this Arizona girl and Northern Arizona University graduate first got into the industry working as a cake decorator at the locally owned Bashas family of grocery stores. She also spent time as a pastry intern at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. Bartlett even did a stint in Sun Valley, among the ski capitals of the world, creating desserts for those fresh off the slopes. Now hitting her stride, it is all downhill from here for this homegrown talent.
maria arenas – zuzu at hotel valley ho
Today, Arenas is the endlessly creative pastry chef at the Hotel Valley Ho. However, she almost took a very different path: one toward Hollywood stardom. Though her grandmother owned a popular pastry school in Buenos Aires, where Argentinian native Arenas spent much of her time, after high school Arenas pursued filmmaking, going so far as to get accepted into an award-winning University in South America for such studies. She worked toward a degree in film for three years, before changing course to pastry, attending two of the most esteemed cooking schools in Argentina in Escuela de Arte Gastronómico and Argentine Institute of Gastronomy.
From culinary school, Arenas worked for about a decade both in the back and front of the house in various aspects of hospitality, eventually serving as general manager for a South American restaurant group, leading both restaurants and a large-scale baking production center.
In 2017, Arenas and her husband—a chef—made the move to Arizona after visiting Phoenix to see friends who had moved to the area. The couple would first work at Chico Malo before both joining Hotel Valley Ho in 2018. An immediate standout, Arenas quickly climbed the ranks and now holds the responsibility of developing the resort’s renowned monthly Showstopper Shake. Recently, she introduced a range of experiential sweet treats, from raspberry cheesecake to a double chocolate cake bar with dulce de leche.”
tracy dempsey – tdo originals
Widely considered the preeminent pastry entrepreneur in Arizona, Tracy Dempsey is the famed founder of Tracy Dempsey Originals in Tempe. The cooking itch began at just 7 when Dempsey decided to do a lemonade stand and make crepes to attract more customers. The crepes sold out! After high school, Dempsey thought hard about studying hotel and restaurant management, but ultimately got her first degree in French literature. By 1994, she earned a fistful of advanced degrees and relocated to the Valley, initially teaching at Arizona State. Once here, she decided to enter the culinary program at Scottsdale Community College, with an eye to challenge herself and pursue her passion for pastry. And thank goodness for foodies!
If you’ve been enjoying dessert in the desert pretty much anywhere since the late 1990s, it was likely a Tracy Dempsey creation. Her work is prolific, including crafting sweet treats at Cowboy Ciao, LONs at Hermosa Inn, Mountain Shadows, Crudo, Nook, Citizen Public House and more. By 2012, she was ready for her own kitchen. Some 11 years later, her work is that of legend, notably her bacon pecan brittle and Chocolate Fleur de Sel Caramel Chocolate Cake. She not only sells items from her own retail bakery but folks can find her items across the 48th state, including at FnB, Uncle Sal’s, AZ88, Sphinx Palm & Pantry, Changing Hands Bookstore, Arcadia Premium, and more.
yudith bustos – four seasons resort scottsdale at troon north
Bustos is the executive pastry chef of Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Her road to making sweets in the Valley of the Sun began at age 18 in her native Costa Rica when a friend opened a pastry shop and asked Bustos to help. Though she had almost no prior experience, Bustos quickly learned she was fascinated by how a few ingredients could be transformed into edible art and decided to go to culinary school. In 2011, she earned an internship under a French chef at a luxury resort, and when he moved to the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, he encouraged Bustos to apply for a position as well. In the 12 years since, Bustos has been an integral part of the Four Seasons brand.
Though she only joined the Scottsdale property in 2022, she already has tongues wagging with her custom wedding cake and special event bakery on the property. Bustos also re-imagined the brand’s in-room amenities, adding chocolate art pieces and other surprises. And in recent months, Bustos endeavored on her biggest project to date: launching new desserts at the Four Season’s Talavera, Proof, and Onyx culinary concepts, adding spirit-infused offerings, desserts that smoke, sweets with 3D elements, and more.
written by: alison bailin batz
photographed by: luke irvin