Villa Dolce Chef Meegan Roberts Named 2026 ACF National Pastry Chef of the Year

GLENDALE, Arizona – July 10, 2026 – Villa Dolce Gelato announced today that its head of culinary innovations, Chef Meegan Roberts, has earned the 2026 ACF National Pastry Chef of the Year title. Roberts achieved this recognition after winning gold medals at both the regional and national American Culinary Federation (ACF) competitions, with the national award ceremony taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 1.

Roberts first secured the ACF Western Region Pastry Chef of the Year title at qualifying events held in late February. She then advanced to the national competition, where she competed against pastry chefs from across the country to claim the top honor. The ACF award is presented to chefs who demonstrate commitment to their craft and contribute to culinary education.

Her competition entries included "Purple Rain," a chocolate entremet inspired by Prince, and "Rebirth," a dessert designed to explore themes of resilience and hope, influenced by Banksy's art. These creations exemplify Roberts' philosophy of transforming dessert into a meaningful experience through thoughtful combinations of flavor, texture, and visual composition. Roberts stated that her inspiration begins with a narrative, which she then translates into a structured dessert.

In her role as head of culinary innovations at Villa Dolce, Roberts leads product development, chef collaborations, and culinary education initiatives. This national recognition highlights Villa Dolce's dedication to providing elevated dessert programs and reinforcing its position as a chef-driven partner in the hospitality industry.

"Chef Meegan's national recognition is a tremendous honor for her and for Villa Dolce," said CEO Monte Marcaccini. "Her work represents exactly what we believe dessert can be – thoughtful, memorable, and rooted in craft."