David Smoake – Patissirie & Baking Instructor

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, David Smoke learned to appreciate food from a cultural level at a family-owned German restaurant that emphasized a traditional level of cooking. to build on his talents, David attended Scottsdale Culinary Institute where he received his culinary arts degree in 1991. This is where he found that his true talents lie in the art of baking and pastry. It was at this juncture that he accepted a position at the famed Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. David worked as an assistant pastry chef position at the Buttes Resort and Spa in Tempe, Arizona.

In 2002 Chef Smoake was invited back to Scottsdale Culinary Institute to be a part of the faculty team in Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie & Baking Program. Within his second year at the school, David received the Crystal Apple Award for teaching excellence and was named Instructor of the Year in 2005. In 2006 he won a gold medal at the 2006 National Bread and Pastry Team Championship with his team member and spouse Chef Tracy DeWitt. His team was awarded “Best Pastry Dégustation”. In 2009, the duo won: a gold medal at the National Pastry Team Championship; and a silver medal at the Food Network’s “Extreme Candy Coaster” chocolate competition. On October 14th, 2010 the duo went on to win their second gold medal on the Food Network in the “sugar Destinations” competition. On August 26th and 27th 2011 in Atlanta GA, they won the “Competitors Choice Award” at the invitation only Pastry Live National Sugar Championship. On April 14, 2013 David won a silver medal at the Western Regional ACF pastry chef of the year. In March of 2016, David left Le Cordon Bleu to join the education team at Arizona Culinary Institute

Chef Tracy Witt

Tracy DeWitt is a pastry chef instructor for Arizona Culinary Institute. She has been teaching the art of Baking and Pastry for the past 21 years. Tracy has received many teaching awards during her years as an instructor, she is a six-time winner of the Crystal Apple Award for teaching excellence, and was recognized as a top twelve finalist for the 2004 Educator of the year.

Outside of teaching, Chef DeWitt hones her skill in the competition world. She has appeared on Food Network Challenge five times, walking away with 2 gold and 1 silver Medal. She has competed in 4 national pastry championships, listed below. in 2010 she was awarded the title of ACF Pastry Chef of the Year for the Western Region of the United States.

Other Awards:

• 2011 – Pastry Live National Showpiece Championship – Winner of the Competitor’s Choice Award
• 2010 – Food Network Challenge: Sugar Destinations Showpiece – Gold Medal Winner
• 2010 – American Culinary Federation: Top 4 Finalist for Pastry Chef of the Year 2010
• 2010 – American Culinary Federation: Winner Pastry Chef of the Year 2010 for the Western Region.
• 2009 – National Pastry Team Championship: Silver Medal Winner and best Chocolate showpiece
• 2009 – Food Network Challenge: Gold Medal Winner for “Extreme Candy Carnival” sugar sculpture
• 2009 – Food Network Challenge: Silver Medal Winner for “Extreme Choc Coasters” chocolate piece
• 2006 – National Bread and Pastry Championship Gold Medal Winner and best Degustation
• 2006 – Food Network Challenge: Silver Medal Winner for “Rock and Roll Sugar” sculpture
• 2005 – Food Network Challenge: Incredible Edible Gingerbread Mansions

Lisa M. Rudolph

Lisa has been a business owner since 1991 and is the founder of Cupcake Posy. She has attended Parsons School of Design in NYC. Lisa also graduated as a pastry chef from Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 2007. She loves to be creative and unique.

Cupcake Posy is a distinctive way to express your love! “I came up with the idea when I realized my husband only bought me flowers the day we got married and the day I complained he never bought me flowers. He told me he didn’t like to spend money on flowers because they would just die. So I began to wonder how many other men feel this same way? Men love to eat, especially sweets so I thought if they could buy flowers for the person they loved and eat them instead of watching them die…. How many more men would purchase flowers?”

Besides creating, designing, baking and running a business, Lisa enjoys making people smile!

Lisa M. Rudolph

Lisa has been a business owner since 1991 and is the founder of Cupcake Posy. She has attended Parsons School of Design in NYC. Lisa also graduated as a pastry chef from Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 2007. She loves to be creative and unique.

Cupcake Posy is a distinctive way to express your love! “I came up with the idea when I realized my husband only bought me flowers the day we got married and the day I complained he never bought me flowers. He told me he didn’t like to spend money on flowers because they would just die. So I began to wonder how many other men feel this same way? Men love to eat, especially sweets so I thought if they could buy flowers for the person they loved and eat them instead of watching them die…. How many more men would purchase flowers?”.

Besides creating, designing, baking and running a business, Lisa enjoys making people smile!