Karen Krasne is the owner and executive pastry chef of Extraordinary Desserts and the best-selling cookbook author of Extraordinary Cakes: Recipes for Bold and Sophisticated Desserts, which is in its third print.

Krasne was a featured dessert chef at the James Beard House and has been named one of the top ten pastry chefs in the country by Forbes magazine. What makes her desserts showstoppers are the touches of fresh fruits and flowers, gold leaf, Valrhona chocolate, and striking flavor combinations. Inspired by her worldwide travels, Karen frequently introduces new desserts and flavor profiles, offering guests new and exciting options to try amidst her long list of signatures.  Her desserts and dishes are as delicious as they are beautiful.

She has trained extensively and annually with French masters at the Cordon Bleu, LeNotre, Valrhona, Pierre Hermes, and Bellouet Conseil.