Chef Kristin Egan is an associate professor of Baking and Pastry Arts at CIA’s New York campus. She teaches Chocolate and Confectionery Technology and Techniques, Advanced Baking Principles, Basic and Classical Cakes, and Baking and Pastry Techniques.
In her classroom, Egan encourages students to focus not just on perfect results, but on the process, emphasizing repetition, time management, and the joy of hands-on learning. She’s known for her calm, practical approach and for helping students build confidence in both their skills and themselves.
From a young age, Egan knew she wanted to be part of the hospitality world. What began as a childhood dream of owning a diner grew into a lifelong passion for baking, creativity, and connection through food.
After earning a bachelor of science degree in Hotel Restaurant Management from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, she went on to CIA and earned her associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts in 2004. From there, she went to work in some of the country’s most prestigious kitchens, including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons Hotel and The Modern in New York City, Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, and Wequassett Resort in Cape Cod. As a CIA student, she completed her externship field experience at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Palm Beach, FL.
Egan later fulfilled another lifelong goal in opening Egan Sweets, a wholesale dessert and wedding cake company based in Cape Cod. The business quickly grew in popularity, earning her a strong reputation for craftsmanship and artistry.
As the company’s success demanded more of her time, she made the decision to step away to regain balance in her life and return to her roots as an educator, rejoining CIA as an associate professor of Baking and Pastry Arts in 2014. She has since earned the distinction of Certified Master Baker (CMB) in 2018 and holds the credential of Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE).
Outside of the classroom, Egan can be found cooking at home, reading, going for walks, spending time with family, and visiting friends in Cape Cod.