TONY SANSALONE, EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF~THE DRISKILL HOTEL 512.474.5911 tsansalone@destinationhotels.com
Born in Italy, trained in Florida and now Texan by choice, Chef Tony Sansalone takes The Driskill's longtime tradition of producing exquisite pastries and desserts to new culinary summits. Named as "Austin's Premier Pastry Chef" by the Austin American-Statesman in 2004, Chef Sansalone brings his award-winning credentials and talents to the hotel's nationally-recognized 1886 Café & Bakery.
Baking his first cookies in the family kitchen in Italy, he received formal training at the American Culinary Federation in Palm Beach, FL. Chef Sansalone then spent the next five years working at several of the most prestigious resorts in South Florida before launching his career with Four Seasons Resorts. That move eventually led him to Austin, where he quickly enticed a devoted following as pastry chef for the Four Seasons Austin Hotel. During his 15-years there, the accommodating and talented chef became a fixture in the community, participating in countless culinary and fundraising events. He also received national recognition when he was featured on the Food Network's "Top 5 Summer Sensations" program.
Looking for a change after 20 years in the hotel business, in 2005 Chef Sansalone and his wife, Ashley, opened their own bakery-Sansalone's Specialty Cakes & Fine Pastry-where he continued to produce the amazingly high-quality desserts for which he had become famous.
Chef Sansalone joined The Driskill's culinary team in late 2007, just in time for the hotel's busy holiday season and to churn out hundreds of cakes, pies and cookies in addition to his custom wedding cakes that qualify as works of art. The distinctive dessert traditions of the Driskill combined with Chef Sansalone's innovative artistry make for a legendary duo.
