Eunji Lee

Lysée, New York

A pastry artist blending Korea, France and New York

Born in South Korea, chef Eunji Lee moved to France to study at some of the country's finest pastry institutions straight after high school. From the Institut National de la Boulangerie Pâtisserie in Rouen and the Ecole Ferrandi in Paris, she went on to train in acclaimed Parisian kitchens Ze Kitchen Galerie (where she worked under William Ledeuil) and Le Meurice (where she worked with both Alain Ducasse, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2013; and Cédric Grolet, winner of The World's Best Pastry Chef Award in 2018).

After 10 years in France, Lee moved to New York City to take on the role of executive pastry chef at Jungsik, the restaurant credited with kickstarting a wave of modern Korean cooking in America. Here, she developed her signature style, prioritising in-season fruit where possible and bringing together elements of French pastry and Korean cuisine.

Chef Lee's talents have not gone unnoticed. In 2017, she was the first non-European to make it to the finals of the French competition, Qui sera le prochain grand pâtissier? ('Who will be the next great pastry chef?'). In 2019, she was awarded Rising Star Pastry Chef in NY and Art of Presentation by Starchefs with her signature dessert, Baby Banana. That same year, she competed in the Valrhona C3 North American Final at the 14th Annual Starchefs International Chefs Congress, coming in second.

In 2022, Lee opened Lysée. Described as a pastry boutique, the refined decor and muted colours bring to mind an art gallery, with Lee's creations the edible works of art. The seasonal tarts stay true to Lee's commitment to using the best of the moment, with variations such as pear and yuja (a highly aromatic Korean citrus fruit), depending on the season. She's also known for her adorable holiday offerings, like the oh-so-sweet teddy bears available around Valentine's Day, or the two different Christmas tree-shaped desserts (one black, one white), available in December 2025.

As of March 2026, guests can enjoy The Journey with Lysée, a dessert tasting experience, available every Thursday from 7pm. The focus of this menu is to celebrate the seasons, craftsmanship and Lysée's close relationship with its suppliers.

For her innovative approach and technical mastery, Eunji Lee is the winner of North America's Best Pastry Chef Award 2026, sponsored by Valrhona.

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