Cicely Austin

The Path

Pastry work sharpened in 2012 at The Oval Room, where Cicely Austin worked as pastry chef in a kitchen that prized precision and polish. The role demanded consistency, clean execution, and control at the pass, building the habits that later defined her approach. By 2018, that same discipline had moved into a larger setting, with Austin taking on the role of executive pastry chef at Clemson University. There, the scale changed, but the work remained anchored in the same fundamentals: detail, balance, and steady leadership.

The Work Today

Executive pastry chef at Clemson University is a role built around both production and oversight, and Cicely Austin’s work sits at that intersection. The pastry program depends on her standards as much as her schedule, with daily output shaped by the practical demands of a large institution. She leads a team of 10 pastry chefs, keeping the work aligned across service, preparation, and quality control. In that setting, pastry becomes less about individual plates alone and more about systems, consistency, and the coordination required to keep them intact.

Career - executive pastry chef — Clemson University (2018–present) - pastry chef — The Oval Room (from 2012)

Acclaim

Cicely Austin has received Food Network Halloween Baking Championship contestant (2018). Food & Wine People's Best New Pastry Chef is the recognition attached to Cicely Austin’s name, and it points directly to the level of attention her pastry work has earned. For the trade, the award signals more than visibility: it marks a body of work that has been judged distinct within the field. In Austin’s case, the recognition follows the same line as her career itself, with pastry remaining the craft through which her standards, control, and leadership are read.

FAQ What is Cicely Austin's current role? As of 2026, Cicely Austin is executive pastry chef of Clemson University. Where did Cicely Austin work before? Cicely Austin's earlier career included The Oval Room. What recognition has Cicely Austin received? Food & Wine People's Best New Pastry Chef (2012).