MEET THE CHEF
Martin Howard / Chocolatina Q Dessert
Pastry has been a life-long passion for Martin. Growing up in Columbia, Maryland with a mother who always baked homemade cookies and cakes, he couldn’t help but join in the fun. Going from Mom’s helper to EasyBake experimenter to Wilton cake decorating enthusiast created the building blocks for a budding pastry chef.
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America and igniting his love for cooking, pastry ultimately became his true calling. Martin has established himself as one of the country’s top pastry chefs, and his divinely decadent and whimsical desserts not only taste remarkable but have extraordinary eye appeal.
Career Highlights
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Rainbow Room, NY - Executive Pastry Chef
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Brasserie, Brasserie 8 1/2 -Manhattan, NY
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Pier House Inn and Beach Club, Key West, FL
Award Highlights
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Named “Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America” by Chocolatier/Pastry Art and Design magazines, two years in row (1997 & 1998)
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James Beard Foundation baking competition’s winner and “People’s Choice Award” honoree
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Many, many national pastry competitions!
AS SEEN ON
In the spring of 2009, Martin took a break from the restaurant industry to focus on his drag persona Chocolatina, Queen of the Dessert. This led to being crowned the very first “Miss Stonewall” in 2009 and hosting many nights at the legendary venue.
Nowadays, Martin enjoys his newly-adopted city of Denver after living in New York City for 25+ years. He currently works as a Pastry Chef at one of America’s leading catering companies, Epicurean Group. When not making pies or singing Broadway musicals for fun, The Pie Queen enjoys volleyball, skiing, Jeopardy and The Game Show Network… and of course a few stiff cocktails.
What The Critics Say
“a fantasy”
“his desserts tend toward the spectacular”
