Pastry Chef

Nashville, TN, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Professional Development

Employee wellness programs

Job Description

Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel represents the latest innovative hospitality project by Herschend, the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company renowned for its commitment to creating memorable experiences and bringing families closer together. Located in the vibrant heart of Downtown Nashville, the hotel embodies the spirit and creativity of Dolly Parton herself, offering guests an unmatched blend of music, style, and hospitality uniquely crafted in Dolly’s signature way. With 245 rooms, two food and beverage entertainment venues, a market, and the exclusive Dolly Parton’s Museum, the hotel provides a distinctive blend of local culture and entertainment designed to love every moment. SongTeller Hotel serves not just as accommodation but as an immersive destination for visitors seeking to connect, unwind, and enjoy a dynamic atmosphere embellished with humor, glamour, and artistic flourishes inspired by Dolly’s iconic career.

The Pastry Chef role at SongTeller Hotel offers a remarkable opportunity for a talented and accomplished culinary professional to lead the pastry operations at this landmark property. This position demands creativity and leadership in shaping the dessert and pastry experiences across multiple outlets, including full-service dining, coffee shop pastries, and extensive catering events. The Pastry Chef will play a key role in the pre-opening phase and subsequent ongoing operations, ensuring product quality aligns perfectly with brand standards and guest expectations. Focused on delivering excellence in every baked good — from breads and croissants to specialty desserts and plated creations — this role is crucial in supporting the hotel’s overall food and beverage success and profitability.

The ideal candidate combines a passion for pastry arts with strong leadership capabilities, coaching and inspiring the pastry team to continuously deliver exceptional culinary experiences. Responsibilities extend beyond the kitchen to encompass inventory management, quality assurance, product consistency, and operational efficiency while upholding all health, safety, and sanitation standards. The role requires working collaboratively within the Heartspitality® culture, a signature of Herschend’s dedication to leadership, love, and positive workplace culture that drives guest satisfaction and team growth. The successful Pastry Chef at SongTeller Hotel will be a visionary, hands-on leader who brings innovative ideas to menu development and seasonal offerings, pushing creative boundaries while maintaining financial targets and operational KPIs.

Working at Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel means joining a company celebrated not only for exceptional hospitality but also for inclusivity, respect, and a mission-driven culture. Herschend employs over 12,000 passionate hosts and serves approximately 15 million guests annually through various entertainment brands, all centered around delivering smiles and meaningful connections. This position offers a competitive employment opportunity within a company that values diversity and equity, providing a supportive environment where every team member feels welcomed and empowered to succeed. If you are ready to lead a dynamic pastry operation during one of Nashville’s most exciting hospitality openings, this role invites you to contribute to an unforgettable guest experience crafted in the spirit and legacy of one of country music's greatest legends.

Job Requirements

5-7 years of progressive experience in pastry
2-3 years in a leadership role
Experience leading large-scale operations
Formal culinary or pastry arts training preferred
Knowledge of classic and contemporary pastry techniques
Understanding of food costing and inventory management
Leadership and team-building skills
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays
Proficiency with relevant software systems
Opening hotel experience preferred

Job Qualifications

5-7 years of progressive experience in pastry, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership role
Proven experience leading large-scale operations with multiple F&B outlets, banquets, and high-volume service
Formal culinary training or formal pastry arts training from an accredited institution preferred
Masterful knowledge of classic and contemporary pastry techniques, including bread baking chocolate work, sugar artistry, and plated desserts
Strong understanding of food costing, portion control, and kitchen inventory management
Proven leadership skills, problem solving, team building, communication and organizational skills
Passion for creating memorable dining experiences and fostering a positive kitchen culture
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Opening hotel experience preferred
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office, Micros POS System, Crunchtime or other food and beverage recipe, inventory management and ordering software

Job Duties

Produce and decorate high-quality bakery and pastry items including breads, doughs, biscuits, muffins, cookies, cakes, pies, croissants, Danishes, and specialty desserts
Supply baked goods and desserts for all hotel outlets and functions as required
Ensure all products are prepared and presented in accordance with standard recipes, specifications, and presentations
Enforce production schedules to ensure proper product availability at all times
Supervise, train, and monitor pastry staff and other bakery positions as well as act as a leader for the rest of the heart of the house staff
Guide team members in proper food preparation, portion control, storage, and handling procedures
Lead and participate in daily lineups to communicate objectives and expectations
Lead and contribute creative ideas and concepts for desserts, pastries, and seasonal offerings, actively voicing suggestions or guidance that support menu development, banquet presentations, and guest experience
Act as quality assurance lead, ensuring all products meet established standards for taste, freshness, and presentation
Ensure all bakery and pastry items are visually appealing and guest-ready
Enforce portion control standards to minimize waste and ensure consistency
Monitor cooking temperatures, hold times, and record food temperatures as required
Perform banquet production and plating functions as required
Support banquet forecasting, preparation, and execution to meet volume and timing requirements
Ensure pastry execution aligns with event specifications and service standards
Maintain proper par levels for assigned workstations based on daily menus and banquet needs
Check product and supply levels regularly and communicate shortages proactively
Complete and maintain accurate order guides for pastry ingredients and supplies
Follow proper procedures for inventory management, ordering, and portion control
Ensure proper labeling, dating, rotation, and FIFO procedures are followed, including day-dot usage
Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary workstation at all times
Enforce and perform cleaning duties when needed that could include dishwashing, sweeping, scrubbing, mopping, trash removal
Comply with all state and local health department regulations and internal culinary policies
Enforce food handling and sanitation standards in accordance with safety programs and procedures
Know, understand, & enforce the use of the 'Start Fresh' program when necessary
Actively participate in maintaining a safe working environment for staff and guests