Deavynne Millward
Hotel Valley Ho boasts some of the most addictively decadent and Instagrammable treats in all of Arizona’s dessert scene—and you probably have Deavynne Millward to thank for it. Chef Millward joined the famed hotel establishment earlier this year as pastry chef after taking over from Clarissa Robinson, who now works as the executive administrator. In the role, she’s managed to add her own iconic flair to some of the staple desserts at ZuZu—a feat only achievable by someone with as much experience and talent as Chef Millward.
While she was born and raised in New Jersey, Chef Millward spent some of her childhood living in Tucson. During her high school year, she attended a vocational program that sparked her interest in culinary, and eventually graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2017. Chef Millward has maintained roles working in the pastry divisions at the Arizona Biltmore, as well as Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa. Beyond her local contributions, Chef Millward has also garnered attention for her own culinary win on Food Network’s “Candy Land.”
A baking or culinary trend you’re currently obsessed with and why? One of my favorite “trends” I indulge in would be baking sourdough. It is my absolute favorite part of being a pastry chef—I get to make cakes, dessert and bread!
What advice would you offer someone who’s trying to navigate work in Arizona’s food scene? My advice for anyone navigating the food industry in Arizona is to move around and learn as much as you can from the chefs who inspire you! Keep networking—get to know as many people in the industry, because you never know what opportunities can come from knowing the right chefs/people.
An Arizona-based baker or culinary figure who inspires you and why? An Arizona-based friend and baker who inspires me would be Kyndra Kelly. She started her own Youtube channel, and now she just released her own cookbook!
For more information on Chef Millward, visit www.hotelvalleyho.com.