First we hear that the Revive Spa at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has been honored by a leading national travel magazine, and then this news:

Executive Pastry Chef Kaushik Chowdhury won the 2009 National Team Pastry Championship. Together with Melynda Gilmore and Keith Taylor, Chowdhury’s creation was based on the competition’s theme of “Time.”

The winning entries included confections that depicted the seasons of the year as well as a pineapple rum torte with coconut sorbet, peanut caramel brittle wth dark chocolate ganache and a stawberry basil torte.

Held in odd numbered years, the National Pastry Team Championship is open to professional chefs living and working in the United States who must present credentials and then be selected to compete.

The JW Marriott team will now move on to the 2010 World Pastry Team Championship next June. Lucky for us, we can still indulge in the delicious work of this team at our own Desert Ridge!

Our favorite girlfriends’ boutique has added a second store and we couldn’t be happier.

Twirl, the go-to place for lovely bridesmaids’ gowns and tuxedos, and the only boutique to focus on the bridal party, has added a second location in the East Valley.

Be sure to stop in and say hi to Keri and Jenni at the new store on Gilbert Road between Germann and Queen Creek. Of course, the original Twirl in Scottsdale is also available to meet your wedding party fashion needs!

2410 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 4 in Chandler, #480-722-0000

The ladies pictured above are lovely in gowns by Twirl, as featured in the Summer/Fall 2009 issue of Phoenix Bride and Groom. Photography by Harrison Hurwitz.