EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
With more than 20 years of experience in some of the most prominent confectionary kitchens in the world, Executive Pastry Chef for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Master Chocolatier Vincent Pilon, has carved his niche in the United States pastry scene.
Pilon began his formal culinary training at L’école Jean Ferrandi, widely regarded as the leading pastry school in France. Here he developed a strong foundation in classic technique, which has forever served as the anchor for his creative pursuits. Pilon then attended L’école de Paris des Métiers de la Table where he expanded his scope into the versatile world of chocolate. After completing his training, Pilon worked in various pastry and chocolate shops throughout France before embarking on a career in the U.S.
In 1997 Pilon landed a position in the kitchen of Le Palais du Chocolat in Washington D.C., before making his way to New York City where he worked under renowned pastry chef, Francois Payard at the critically acclaimed Payard Patisserie and Bistro. He worked under Payard for a year before relocating to Las Vegas to pursue a career in the hotel world.
For the first 15 years of his career in Vegas, Chef Pilon held positions in well-respected resort kitchens including assistant pastry chef at Bellagio and assistant executive pastry chef at the Rio, and most recently he was executive pastry chef at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. During this time Pilon continued to master the art of chocolate, building a repertoire for award-winning chocolate structures.
As one of the newest additions to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ culinary roster, Pilon has a hand in the ongoing development of the resort’s culinary in-room dining and VIP programming. With plans to implement a line of chocolates exclusive to the hotel, Pilon looks forward to further elevating the detail-oriented approach to guests’ experiences that The Cosmopolitan has always been known for.
Pilon has received several accolades and recognition for his work, winning 1st place in the Food Network Challenge “Chocolate Series” 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 2007 Pilon took home the 1st place metal from US Chocolate Masters where he competed against the country’s top chocolatiers. He was also named one of the “Ten Best Pastry Chefs in America” by Pastry Art & Design Magazine in 2007 and 2008, and now judges the U.S. Chocolate Masters as well as several Food Network chocolate challenges.