Dylana Degannes

Dylana is a passionate food enthusiast, trained chef, and culinary arts instructor in the inner city of New York with more than ten years of experience. Dylana finds it vital to educate her students about food justice and social entrepreneurship with the hope of becoming a vehicle for change. Her culinary passion is tied to her Trinidadian heritage; fusing traditional family recipes with some of her very own. Growing up, Dylana learned the art of baking from her mother who emphasized the importance of using fresh ingredients – grating coconuts to make coconut milk and zesting citrus to enhance flavor, using sight and intuition. The recent passing of Dylana’s mom has left a void, although reminded daily by loyal customers of her mother’s impact. Dylana’s mom always occupied a front seat at Dylana’s Sweet Treats – now that seat is filled with sweet memories of her charming customer who brought a sense of community, warmth, and welcome.

As CEO of Dylana’s Sweet Treats Inc., Dylana recognized that her now-famous bread pudding was just the starting point. For her, the secret to a truly exceptional treat lies in a commitment to constant innovation and exploration of new flavors and textures. Under her leadership, Dylana’s Sweet Treats is dedicated to continually expanding its offerings, ensuring every bite delivers a delightful and evolving experience. Now, as she works alongside her family to build an empire, she is reminded of her childhood chant, “I’m a baker, I’m a chef.” Dylana hopes to instill her core values of integrity and perseverance in her children.