RISING STAR PASTRY AWARD SPONSORED BY 

Alex Stupak
ALINEA | Chicago

Biography
Alex Stupak has always been drawn to the kitchen. As a precocious eleven year old, he began his career as a pastry chef selling his homemade confections to fellow classmates. Following his passion, he graduated high school with a Certificate in Culinary Arts and began collecting awards, including placing first at the 1998 VICA USA National Culinary Competition. He then enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America and while at the CIA, completed his externship working as garde manger and pastry assistant at Clio restaurant in Boston under acclaimed Chef Ken Oringer.

After graduating from the CIA in 2000, Chef Stupak accepted the roundsman position at the four-star Tru in Chicago, honing his talents in a variety of kitchen roles. After fourteen months in Chicago, Chef Stupak returned to Boston, accepting a position at the Federalist, where he became Pastry Chef after just one month. The next year he returned to Clio as Pastry Chef. Striving for creativity while maintaining balance, Chef Stupak's pastries have been recognized as some of the most provocative in the country. He was named Best Pastry Chef by Boston magazine in 2003. Earlier this year Chef Grant Achatz invited Alex to be on the opening team at Alinea, where his innovative desserts complement and elevate Achatz' extraordinary creations.