Mindy’s HotChocolate, Chicago

Mindy Segal finally won the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Pastry Chef award in May, after being nominated every year since 2007. The timing was perfect. She had just reopened Mindy’s HotChocolate—her well-known Chicago eatery—after a substantial renovation. Though HotChocolate is a restaurant, the dessert bar is the heart of the enterprise. Segal’s banana brioche pudding, skillet soufflé with salted caramel ice cream and sinful hot chocolate keep customers loyal in a competitive food-geared town. 1747 N. Damen Ave.; 773-489-1747; hotchocolatechicago.com.