Zac Young
He's a star pastry chef, inventor of the PieCaken and a Food Network competitor and judge.
Zac Young's Bio
Recognized as one of the country's top pastry chefs, chef Zac Young is known for his playful takes on American desserts, including the all-in-one Thanksgiving sensation, The PieCaken. Zac’s groundbreaking, direct-to-consumer bakery, PieCaken Bakeshop, helped revolutionize nationwide shipping of specialty desserts in partnership with the online marketplace Goldbelly.
After graduating with honors from The Institute of Culinary Education, Zac cut his teeth at Bouchon Bakery, and traveled to France to learn from some of the world’s masters of chocolate. Zac’s talents were then nurtured by chef Alex Guarnaschelli in his four-year tenure as Pastry Chef at Butter Restaurant. Afterwards, he started a donut revolution at Flex Mussels Restaurants, compelling The New York Times restaurant critic, Frank Bruni, to write, “how lucky of us to find room for dessert,” and landing his donuts in ThenTimes’ list of Top Ten Donuts in New York City. Zac then went on to serve as Corporate Pastry Chef for equally whimsical Chef David Burke — running the pastry departments of his many restaurants, hotels, and bars — and working his way to partnership in the parent company, Craveable Hospitality Group. His most recent venture, Zac Young’s Sprinkletown, is a multifaceted sweets company focused on retail products with partners like Costco, wholesale foodservice distribution, and proprietary retail concepts, including Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream at Foxwoods Resort Casino, which opened April 2024.
Zac is best known for his wit and pastry wisdom on Halloween Baking Championship as well Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Supermarket Stakeout and Cooking Channel's Unique Sweets, as well as Nailed It and his final-four finish on the inaugural season of Top Chef: Just Desserts.
When Zac grows up, he wants to be a competitive dim sum eater.
The Latest From Zac
Food Network Serves Up a Frightfully Delicious Fall Show Lineup Aug 20, 2026
Say hello to 'Halloween Baking Championship' Season 12 and 'Halloween Wars' Season 16. Here's everything you need to know.
Meet the Competing Chefs from '24 in 24: Last Chef Standing' Season 3 25 Photos
From innovative up-and-comers to award-winning culinary vets, the competition is hotter than ever before in the 24 in 24 kitchen.
Fill Out Your Official 'TOC: All-Star Christmas' Bracket Oct 29, 2025
Which team do you think will make it all the way?
'Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas' — Who's Competing 17 Photos
Ready to get your holiday celebration on? Learn more about the chefs competing in Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas Seas …
'Halloween Baking Championship' Judges' Best Costumes Through the Years 30 Photos
When it comes to spooky-season looks, the judges have a well-earned reputation for killer style. We've assembled a murderers' row …
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