Christina Tosi

Christina Tosi is a renowned American pastry chef, entrepreneur, and author best known as the founder, CEO, and chief creative officer of Milk Bar, a celebrated bakery chain known for its inventive desserts. Born on November 9, 1981, in Berea, Ohio, she revolutionized contemporary American baking by combining fine dining techniques with playful, nostalgic flavors. Through her iconic sweet creations, bestselling cookbooks, and television appearances, Tosi has established herself as a prominent figure in culinary arts and business.

About

Tosi spent her early childhood in Ohio before growing up primarily in Springfield, Virginia. Raised in a family of passionate bakers and food lovers, she developed an early fascination with baking and kitchen creativity. She initially pursued higher education at the University of Virginia before earning degrees in applied mathematics and Italian from James Madison University. Driven by her passion for culinary arts, she subsequently moved to New York City to attend the French Culinary Institute, specializing in pastry arts.

Career

Her professional journey began in fine dining kitchens, including positions at prestigious New York City establishments such as WD-50 and Bouley. She later joined David Chang's Momofuku restaurant group, where she originally assisted with food safety and administrative systems. Recognized for her exceptional baking talent, she was tasked with establishing Momofuku's pastry program. In 2008, Tosi opened the first Milk Bar location in Manhattan's East Village, launching signature treats such as cereal milk soft serve, compost cookies, unfrosted layer cakes, and Milk Bar pie. Her innovative work earned her the James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year in 2012 and Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2015.

Business & Media

Under Tosi's leadership, Milk Bar expanded from a single storefront into an international brand with numerous retail locations, nationwide delivery, and grocery store product lines. She has published several successful cookbooks, including "Momofuku Milk Bar" and "All About Cake." Beyond her business, Tosi gained widespread media recognition as a judge on "MasterChef" and "MasterChef Junior," and as the host of Netflix's "Bake Squad". She also launched "Bake Club," a popular interactive online baking community.

Personal Life

In July 2016, Tosi married restaurateur Will Guidara. The couple welcomed their daughter, Frankie, in March 2021. Outside of her culinary career, Tosi is an avid long-distance runner and resides with her family in New York.