Pastry Chef

Nashville, TN, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

401(k)

Career development opportunities

Paid holidays

Job Description

Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel is the latest hospitality venture by Herschend, the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company known for bringing families closer together by creating memorable experiences. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the SongTeller Hotel is a celebration of Dolly Parton’s epic career and trailblazing spirit. This unique hotel offers guests an unforgettable experience infused with music, style, and hospitality that embodies the Dolly-way. It features 245 rooms, two food and beverage entertainment venues, a market, and Dolly Parton’s Museum, making it a vibrant hub for entertainment and connection. Herschend has a strong culture of Heartspitality, which means leading with love and creating joyful, memorable experiences for guests and hosts alike. This culture is at the core of everything they do, making it a welcoming environment for employees and visitors alike.

The Pastry Chef role at SongTeller Hotel offers an exciting opportunity to lead the pre-opening pastry operations, helping shape the culinary experience of this iconic hospitality destination. This position plays a key role in the food and beverage outlets, responsible for producing and decorating high-quality bakery and pastry items ranging from breads and croissants to cakes and specialty desserts. The successful candidate will provide pastry catering for all hotel outlets and events, ensuring that all products meet stringent quality, taste, and presentation standards. The role involves supervising, training, and leading the pastry team and other back-of-house staff, promoting a culture of growth, learning, and excellence. Additionally, the Pastry Chef will apply creativity and innovation to develop new dessert concepts and seasonal offerings that align with the unique brand experience of the hotel.

This leadership position requires a balance of culinary expertise, operational efficiency, and people management skills. The chef will oversee production schedules, enforce portion control to minimize waste, maintain par levels for ingredients and supplies, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. They will also collaborate closely with banquet and catering teams to meet volume and timing requirements, contributing to successful events and guest satisfaction. Utilizing food costing knowledge and inventory management systems, the Pastry Chef will contribute to achieving financial targets and key performance indicators tied to food and beverage operations.

The SongTeller Hotel stands out as more than just lodging; it is a creative space that invites guests to unplug, connect with loved ones, and be entertained by a fusion of local music, culinary arts, and Dolly Parton’s unique charm and humor. Joining this team means stepping into a role that impacts not only the quality of food service but also the cultural and emotional experience of every guest. Through innovative pastry creations, exceptional leadership, and a passion for hospitality, the Pastry Chef will help bring to life the extraordinary vision of Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel. This position also offers a chance to join a highly respected company with a long history of family values and community focus, where every employee is treated with respect and valued for their unique contributions.

Job Requirements

formal culinary or pastry arts training preferred
5-7 years progressive pastry experience
minimum 2-3 years leadership experience
experience with large-scale F&B operations
strong knowledge of pastry techniques
understanding of food costing and inventory management
proven leadership and communication skills
ability to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays
proficiency with culinary and inventory software
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