Katrina Pagán

By Daniela Cintron

Published May 22, 2025
Last Updated May 23, 2025

A Taste of Puerto Rico in Every Pastry

At the heart of the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta’s elegant dessert offerings lies a secret: a tropical whisper of coquito, a burst of mango, a hidden note of passion fruit — each one a subtle nod to Puerto Rico, the island that lives not only in Katrina Pagán’s memories but also in every bite she creates.

“Inconscientemente lo hago,” she says with a smile. “Even if I don’t plan it, there’s always a little piece of Puerto Rico in what I make. It just comes naturally.”

Originally from San Juan, Pagán grew up in a world where food was a language of love and family. Her earliest memories are of cooking with her father in the kitchen, surrounded by comunidad, sabores and warmth. “That’s typical in Puerto Rico,” she says. “You’re always with your family. Always cooking, always sharing.”

Now, as the pastry chef of the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, she carries those early lessons into one of the most prestigious kitchens in the South. But her journey here has been anything but predictable.

After nearly two decades with the Ritz-Carlton brand, including time in the Cayman Islands, Pagán came to Atlanta six years ago seeking growth. “It was just an opportunity to learn more, to grow more in my career,” she recalls. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with the city.

“I always say Atlanta adopted me,” she says. “I never thought I’d end up here, but it’s become my home. It’s a city that has helped me become the best version of myself, not just as a pastry chef, but as a Boricua.”

That sense of belonging is rare and cherished. In Atlanta, Pagán has found space to thrive professionally and to showcase her roots. Her culture is always part of the process, whether it’s a vibrant dessert inspired by piña colada or a holiday treat infused with coquito. “Sometimes it’s like an Easter egg,” she says. “Something only I know is there. But it’s there. I feel it. It’s mine.”

For Pagán, ser puertorriqueña lo es todo. “It means everything,” she says, holding up the tiny charm of Puerto Rico that hangs from her necklace, close to her heart. “I wear it every day.” Her accent, rich with the melody of the Caribbean, is something she treasures deeply. “People always ask me where I’m from, and I love it. It gives me a chance to talk about Puerto Rico, to share it with people who may not know what it looks like or what it tastes like.”

That passion becomes a conversation with every guest, every colleague and every plate she sends out of her kitchen. It’s more than a culinary influence — it’s a cultural responsibility she embraces with pride and joy.

“I want people to know that Puerto Rico is bright, beautiful, rich in flavor and soul,” she says. “And if they don’t know, then I’ll show them. I’ll tell them. I’ll feed them.”

And in a city like Atlanta, where cultures intersect and evolve, Katrina Pagán is doing just that — sharing the brilliance of la Isla del Encanto one dessert at a time.

Meet other Puerto Rican creatives in Atlanta.

Daniela is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta. As an award-winning bilingual journalist, she is passionate about shinning light on untold stories about culture, food and Atlanta.