Throughout the weeks leading up to the 2015 Houston Culinary Awards, we’ve been getting to know the impressive HCA chef and bartender team.

We asked each chef to answer a few questions about themselves, and so far we’ve shared the answers of Leslie Ross, Monica Richards, Rocco Nankervis, Travis Lenig, Brandi Key, Peter Garcia and Kelly Boyd.

This week we spotlight the final member of our chef team, pastry chef Alyssa Dole (Revival Market, Coltivare) who will prepare a hazelnut butter cake. For a look at the complete Houston Culinary Awards dinner menu, click here.

Alyssa DoleNUMBER OF YEARS YOU’VE BEEN HONING YOUR CRAFT? WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST HOSPITALITY JOB?

2006 was my first job at a donut shop in Boulder, Colorado.

WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS?

Starting off I worked with Zoi Condos in Melbourne, Australia. I learned so much in my time with her at Sweet Source. Today, I have the privilege to work with both chefs Ryan Pera and Vincent Huynh. I have and continue to learn so much from them.

FAVORITE INGREDIENT OR KITCHEN GADGET YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

Butter and a whisk

YOUR FAVORITE HOUSTON HOLE-IN-THE-WALL:

One Dragon for xiao long bao. Lola’s for a good day drink.

WHICH LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND/OR BARS HAVE YOU NOT YET VISITED, BUT ARE ON YOUR LIST?

Izakaya

THE BEST THING ABOUT MY JOB IS…

Working with great people, doing what I love.

IF I WEREN’T A _________ I WOULD BE _________.

If I weren’t a pastry chef, I would be a travel writer.