Inspiration Rooted in Family and Tradition
When Chanica Massey joined Guest Services, Inc. at Hogan Lovells, one of the first things that stood out to her, aside from weekends off, was the company’s logo and its founding year, 1917. That year held special meaning for her; it was also the year her grandmother was born. “She was the primary influence on my culinary journey,” Chanica shared. “Everything I do in the kitchen ties back to the lessons she taught me about simplicity and focus.”
When this year’s internal Culinary Recipe Contest was announced with pineapple as the theme ingredient, Chanica’s ideas first leaned toward savory dishes. Reflecting on her time in Maui, she thought of the island flavors she had learned there. But her inspiration soon took a sentimental turn.
“I remembered my grandmother’s incredible pineapple upside-down cake,” she said. “At first, I thought it might not have enough of a ‘wow’ factor on its own, so I reimagined it as a cheesecake. Still, I couldn’t let go of the cake idea entirely, so I decided to make both.”
Her final creation, a duo of mini charred pineapple cheesecake and spiced pineapple bundt cake, beautifully captured both refinement and nostalgia. “The cheesecake represents balance and elegance, while the bundt cake pays homage to tradition and comfort, two elements that capture both my grandmother’s spirit and the warmth pineapple represents.”
Crafting the Perfect Combination
Once Chanica decided on her pair of pineapple desserts, she focused on how to elevate the fruit’s natural flavor. “Since it was the fall season, I wanted to incorporate warm spices—but that alone didn’t feel quite special enough,” she explained. “Then it hit me, charring the pineapple would bring out its natural sugars and deepen the flavor.”
She collaborated closely with Pastry Chef Yolanda Escobar, whose precision reminded Chanica of baking with her grandmother. “Yolanda can practically predict measurements by heart,” she said. “Scaling down her large-batch recipes tested my culinary math skills, but once we got it right, adjusting the flavors became much easier.”
For presentation, Chanica designed both desserts to showcase all five key elements of a well-rounded dish while keeping them elegant and efficient for large-scale service. “Since it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we incorporated touches of pink as a tribute to my other grandmother, Nana Herrick, who is a breast cancer survivor,” she added.
A Celebration of Teamwork and Passion
For Chanica, being named the 2025 Culinary Recipe Contest winner is a reflection of teamwork and creativity. “This recognition means the world to me—it’s a reflection of the teamwork, creativity, and support that thrive in my kitchen every day,” she said.
Her advice for next year’s participants: “Be confident, have fun, and involve your team. Culinary creativity is never a solo act—it’s a team effort, and that collaboration often leads to the most meaningful results.”
Chanica’s win is a testament to her talent and dedication, perfectly capturing the spirit of hospitality and warmth that the pineapple represents. “This win encourages me to keep blending nostalgia with innovation—continuing to grow as a chef while honoring where I started.”
