The American Culinary Federation, Inc., (ACF), a national organization of professional chefs, awarded Andreas Proisl, of Orlando, FL, executive pastry chef at Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, FL, as 2010 Pastry Chef of the Year. The contest is sponsored by Splenda, and the award was presented at the 2010 ACF National Convention at the Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA.

During his acceptance speech at the President’s Grand Ball, Proisl thanked ACF, Splenda, the judges, several chefs and his wife and family for their support.

The ACF Pastry Chef of the Year award, established in 2004, and recognizes a pastry chef who displays a passion for the craft, has an accomplished reputation in the pastry field and has helped educate others by sharing skills and knowledge. Colleagues first nominated the four finalists for their respective regional award because of their creativity, talent and passion. Then, chefs competed and won regional titles.

Proisl received the national award after competing against the three other finalists in a live competition Aug. 4. Chefs had 3 hours, 30 minutes to prepare, cook and serve a decorated torte/cake, contemporary dessert and hot restaurant-style dessert. A panel of judges selected the winner. Proisl’s menu was: an almond soufflé cake with peach sorbet, raspberry/peach compote and peach sauce; Splenda pineapple mousse carrot cake with braised pineapple, sugar-free vanilla ice cream, pecan crunch and strawberry jelly; and a vanilla, orange and hazelnut torte.

Proisl has more than 25 years experience in the pastry field. Trained in Vienna, Austria, he specializes in European pastries, classic Viennese, breakfast and French-style pastries.