We are deeply saddened by the news that Gina DePalma, the beloved pastry chef and mentor to many in the culinary community, has passed away after a long battle with ovarian cancer. "Chef Gina inspired everyone who met her with her extraordinary culinary talent and generous heart," said JBF president Susan Ungaro. "Watching her deal so bravely and candidly with ovarian cancer these past seven years was inspiring and heartbreaking to all who knew and loved her. Our food world is a better place because of her contributions."
DePalma first got her start in the kitchen at Chanterelle, followed by Gramercy Tavern. In 1998, she was recruited as part of the opening team at Babbo, where she remained for 15 years. DePalma was the recipient of the Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2009, contributed recipes to The Babbo Cookbook, and penned the book Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen. She will be sorely missed.
