Chef Five Bites: Kate Baltren

After ditching an unsatisfying desk job, Kate Baltren attended L'Academie de Cuisine and was hired by chef Robert Wiedmaier at Brasserie Beck. From there she moved to Wiedmaier's fine dining restaurant Marcel's to be assistant pastry chef. When Wiedmaier's latest project Brabo opened in Alexandria's Lorien Hotel and Spa, Baltren jumped at the opportunity to lead as pastry chef. Baltren manages the pastry program for Brabo and its more casual sibling, Brabo Tasting Room, and she makes truffles, salted caramels, baked goods and other treats for The Butcher’s Block.

1. Shish taouk at Mama Ayesha's

2. Papusas at El Rinconcito Café

3. Palak chaat at Rasika

4. Pho at Pho 14

5. Breakfast brioche at Buzz Bakery

Previous Chef Five Bites: Cathal Armstrong, Dani Arana, David Guas, Josh Short, Michel Richard, Haidar Karoum, Ryan Morgan, Shannon Overmiller, Anthony Chittum, Jonathan Krinn & Jon Mathieson, Victor Albisu, Vatche Benguian, John Snedden, Nicholas Stefanelli, Travis Olson, Brian Robinson, Cliff Wharton, Alex Bollinger, Massimo Fabbri, Daniel Bortnick, Rob Weland, Olivier Perret, Dennis Marron, Dean Gold, Mike Isabella, Bryan Voltaggio, Geoff Tracy, Bart Vandaele, Rodney Scruggs, Clayton Miller, Alex McCoy, Steve Mannino, Will Artley, Kyle Bailey & Tiffany MacIsaac, Santosh Tiptur, Barton Seaver, Glenn Babcock, Antonio Burrell, Claudio Pirollo and Mickael Cornu, Wesley Morton, Scott Drewno, Ellen and Todd Gray, Philippe Reininger, Tom Wellings, Adam Lippe, Allison Sosna, Barry Koslow, Polly Brown, Joe Palma, RJ Cooper, K.N. Vinod

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