“Your problems feel smaller after you eat dessert.”
~Chef Amber
Chef Amber Croom: A Sweet Force of Nature
Classically trained at The Culinard, Amber Croom has spent over 14 years refining her craft, learning from culinary greats, and fearlessly pushing boundaries to create extraordinary confections. But her journey to becoming a celebrated pastry chef was anything but conventional.
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Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Amber first embarked on a career as a Naval Architecture & Marine Engineer in New Orleans, LA. When Hurricane Katrina reshaped the course of her life, she seized the moment to follow her true passion: baking. After graduating culinary school, an internship with Rimini Gelato and Chocolates in Vail, Colorado, opened the door to her first job, where she mastered the art of artisan gelato and chocolate-making.
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Her career soon took her to dazzling heights—literally—when she became the confectioner for the luxury cruise line Silver Sea. In 2014, Amber returned to Birmingham to lead the pastry department at Bellini’s Ristorante and Bar, leaving her signature touch on every dish.
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Amber baked her way into hearts with her first televised competition appearance on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship Season 3 in 2016. She soon moved to Baltimore, MD, to open the Sagamore Pendry Hotel before diving back into her first love: chocolate. As the Head Chocolatier for the largest catering company in Washington, D.C., she brought her expertise to the most exquisite creations.
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Amber has continued to showcase her artistry on television, winning accolades and hearts alike. She conquered Chopped Sweets, dazzled on Beat Bobby Flay, and most recently claimed victory as the champion of Crime Scene Kitchen Season 2. Through it all, she has built her own brand, And 4 Dessert, and co-founded Beye Beignets, captivating audiences with bold flavors and stunning visuals.
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Beyond her culinary achievements, Amber is deeply committed to giving back. As a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, she actively supports Meals on Wheels Baltimore and Delaware, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland, and numerous other non-profits. Her dedication to community service is as heartfelt as her desserts.
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When she’s not crafting sweet masterpieces, Amber can be found in Baltimore, MD, indulging in anime marathons, dominating at Animal Crossing, savoring pizza, or dreaming up her next big confectionery creation. With Amber Croom, life is always a little sweeter.