Pastry chef Gand headed to Chicago's Chefs Hall of Fame

Dessert diva Gale Gand will be inducted into the Chicago's Chefs Hall of Fame this fall as the organization's pastry chef of the year.

Joining Gand — a nationally award-winning chef, cookbook author and former Food Network star who lives in Riverwoods — in the 2014 class are Stephanie Izard, chef of the year; Michael Kornick, legendary chef; and restaurateurs Phil Stefani, industry leader; and Larry Levy, industry legend.

Izard rose to the top of Chicago's culinary scene after her win on Bravo's “Top Chef” and her subsequent success with her Chicago restaurants Girl & the Goat and Little Goat. Kornick has been part of the Windy City's dining scene since 1988 when he opened mk. His restaurant group now operates eight eateries including DMK Burger Bar in Lombard.

Stefani's restaurant empire started with Stefani's on Fullerton Avenue and in three decades has expanded to more than 15 venues, including Tuscany in Wheeling and Oak Brook. In 1978, Levy Restaurants started as a single delicatessen in Chicago and, under Larry Levy's watch, the family organization grew to a full-service food provider for concert venues, stadiums and arenas across the country, including Arlington International racetrack and Ravinia.

The five will be formally inducted during a ceremony Oct. 16 that will raise money for the Chicago Culinary Museum.