Dominique Ansel is a French pastry chef known for his innovative desserts. He gained worldwide fame for creating the Cronut, a hybrid pastry that combines a croissant and a doughnut. Ansel opened his first bakery in New York City in 2011, where he introduced this unique treat, quickly attracting long lines of eager customers. In addition to the Cronut, Ansel has developed various other creative pastries, such as the Cookie Shot and the Frozen S'more. His work has earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious James Beard Award, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the culinary world.