Pala's pastry chef wins best in theme at ‘Creations in Chocolate’

PALA – Pala Casino Spa & Resort executive pastry chef Albert Cruz won “Best in Theme” honors when he and 17 other San Diego area master pastry chefs and chocolatiers helped raise funds for at-risk youth at the San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) ninth annual Creations in Chocolate at the McMillin Event Center in Point Loma on March 12.

This year, chocolate creations recognized the career and community activism of San Diego Padres Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Trevor Hoffman and celebrated the 45^th anniversary of SDYS service to the community.

Chef Albert’s “Best in Theme” is a five-foot tall trophy tribute to Hoffman’s career. It was created with 300 pounds of white, dark and milk chocolate and features photographs from Hoffman’s Hall of Fame baseball career that included 15 seasons with the Padres.

Chef Albert said it took 30 hours to create, sculpt and build the display. All the creations in chocolate were auctioned to the highest bidders to benefit SDYS programs for homeless and at-risk youth in San Diego.