Ann Amernick, who works in our nation’s capitol, is recognized as one of the finest pastry chefs in the country. She has been nominated five times as Best Pastry Chef in the Nation by the James Beard Foundation and Chocolatier and Pastry Art & Design magazines names her one of the top ten pastry chefs in the country.

Ann was the pastry chef at Jean-Louis in the Watergate in Washington, D.C., and was executive pastry chef at the White House. She is co-owner of D.C.’s Palena Restaurant and Cafe, where customers can’t get enough of her desserts. For a number of years, Ann owned the Washington bakery, Amernick’s, which closed several years ago. In earlier days, Ann worked at Georgetown's Big Cheese and Cashion's Eat Place, as well as a few other places.

Ann is the author of The Art of the Dessert, a recently published book that addresses some of the more intricate and complex techniques for desserts and is directed to serious bakers and those who want to elevate and improve their skills. She also is the author of Souffles: Forty Recipes from Savory to Sweet, and Special Desserts.

She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.