Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Awards – Hall Of Fame
September 16, 2025
Dominique Ansel
September 17, 2025
At Flux Desserts, we believe every pastry has a story—
and so does every baker. Today, we want to share Ash Otto’s journey. Ash isn’t just talented off the plate; she’s now an official Chef Works Ambassador, and that role means something special.
Beginnings in the Kitchen
Ash’s passion for pastry began early. Baking alongside her mum in the family kitchen, watching stepdad’s Italian mother make tiramisu, Black Forest cake, and home-baked sauces—all of that sowed the seeds. When Ash was sixteen, she began work experience, then apprenticed at the Pacific Hotel in Cairns. That was her foundation: learning what pastry means when you’re 16, hungry, and determined.
She names two mentors who shaped her craft: James Saunders, who taught her the technical basics and instilled resilience in fast-paced kitchens; and Melanie Day, who opened her eyes to flavour exploration and pushing boundaries.
Growth, Competition & Recognition
Ash’s dedication paid off in competitions. One of her proudest moments was taking home gold in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat competition in 2017. That led to representing Australia in Singapore at the Food Hotel Asia with the culinary youth team. Ash recalls the intensity: staging, timing, details, and learning from pressure as much as from praise.
Being named a National Finalist, working under tight timelines, and facing fierce competition sharpened both skill and perspective. It also showed her just how much pastry can mean—to a baker, to a crowd, and to culture.
Chef Works Ambassador
Today, as a Chef Works Ambassador, Ash blends her love of pastry with personal style. She enjoys choosing jackets and aprons that suit her mood or the task at hand—something professional and straightforward when refining ribbons of chocolate, or bold when presenting at an event. Ash says wearing chef whites always makes her feel empowered—ready to create, willing to challenge herself.
As an ambassador, she also loves mentorship. She carries forward the lessons she learned: take notes, stay curious, and respect every stage of learning.
What This Means for Flux Desserts
Ash’s journey reminds us that pastry isn’t just about dessert—it’s about perseverance, flavour, community, and expression. Her growth, from kitchen work experience to national competitions, and now to ambassador roles, inspires everything we do at Flux Desserts.
You’ll see that influence in new recipe ideas, flavour choices, and even how we think about presentation. And even more, we hope her story encourages anyone who loves pastry to try, experiment, and believe in what you can make.
Thinking of Trying Something New?
If you are a home baker or someone who wants to push your pastry further, here are a few ideas from Ash:
- Try something outside your comfort zone.
- Enter a small competition—taste and feedback go further than you think.
- Mentor or teach someone else a technique. Teaching often helps you grow.
We’re proud to have Ash represent us as Chef Works Ambassador, and even prouder to share her journey. It’s a reminder that baking is layered—with history, flavour, challenge, and joy.
Recreated from the original article :
https://chefworks.com.au/blogs/blog/ash-otto-pastry-chef-journey
