Award-Winning Pastry Chef Leaves The Bristol, Balena

Renown pastry chef Amanda Rockman is leaving her helm at Bucktown's .

The move will be effective Saturday, Feb. 23, according to an announcement that began circulating in Chicago's culinary world on Monday afternoon. Rockman split her time between The Bristol and Lincoln Park's Balena—both products of executive chef Chris Pandel.

She announced the move Monday to her Twitter followers by saying, "After three amazing years at The Bristol and Balena, I have decided to move forward and pursue other culinary opportunities. Viva la pastry!"

She went on, in a statement, to thank her friends at The Bristol and the BOKA group.

"I will miss the amazing individuals I had the opportunity to work with on a daily basis," she said.

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Pandel, who co-owns both restaurants with Phillip Walters, bid Rockman a bittersweet farewell.

“Though it is sad to see Amanda move on, I am grateful for all of her had work and dedication to both The Bristol and Balena pastry programs," he said, in a statement. "We have been friends and colleagues for over a decade, and I wish her nothing but the best."

She, along with the two restaurants' baker, Peter Becker, were recently named pastry chef and baker of the year, respectively, in the Chicago Tribune Dining Awards.

The Bristol, 2152 N. Damen Ave., is an American restaurant boasting handmade pasta, charcuterie, farm-fresh produce and a nose-to-tail approach to cooking. It has an extensive beer and wine list and also serves up handmade cocktails. It opened in September 2008.

Balena debuted less than four years later in the spring of 2012. The Italian menu features a long list of appetizers, as well as handmade pastas like tajarin topped with pork ragu and tagliolini nero. Traditional Italian pizzas include a mortadella, pistachio and onion combination as well as a spicy sausage option, and so many more.

Both restaurants were recipients of The Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand for 2013.

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