Pastry Chef Shenandoah Mansions Richmond VA

company

About ASH

ASH Hotels designs, develops, owns, and operates a very special collection of properties. In our world, a hotel is much more than a destination to meet, dine, or sleep. Rather, it is a dynamic site of imagery and emotions, interactions and sensations manifesting within the walls of a beautifully restored local legend - a living movie set. An ASH hotel is a connection to the past and a beacon for the future, layered in nuanced storytelling that invites exploration time and again.

Shenandoah Mansions is a hotel in Richmond, Virginia. The six-story hotel sits nestled in the historic Fan District, a former bohemian enclave where charming, Italianate boulevards read like a pastiche European hangover. Shenandoah Mansions adorns the charms and intellects of the old world, whilst remaining refreshingly American. With 73 guest rooms, including 4 opulent suites, a mystical bar, an elegant restaurant, daily cafe and an on-site retail store, Shenandoah Mansions is an ode to the matriarchs and the grande dames — to witchcraft and fantasy, ghosts and fever dreams. With hidden nooks and corners, there are secrets to uncover within these palatial halls.

role

About the role

Culinary Leadership & Menu Development

- Prepare and execute high-quality pastries, desserts, breads, and baked goods for restaurant service, special events, and private dining.
- Develop innovative seasonal dessert menus that reflect the culinary vision of Shenandoah Mansions.
- Maintain consistency in taste, presentation, portioning, and quality.
- Oversee daily pastry production, preparation schedules, and inventory management.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
- Monitor food costs, minimize waste, and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
- Train, mentor, and support culinary team members in pastry preparation and techniques.
- Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary leadership on menu development and special offerings.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient pastry kitchen.
- Support banquet, catering, and special event pastry production as needed.

Operations & Financial Management

- Oversee day-to-day pastry kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and consistency in quality.
- Develop and manage pastry department budgets, including food costs, labor, supplies, and equipment.
- Monitor inventory levels, manage purchasing and ordering, minimize waste, and maintain effective cost controls.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, and food handling regulations.
- Collaborate with the Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director to align pastry offerings with the hotel's culinary vision and financial goals.
- Maintain accurate production records, recipe costing, portion controls, and inventory reports.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining exceptional pastry standards.
- Support menu planning, seasonal offerings, and special events while ensuring profitability and guest satisfaction.

Team Management and Development

- Recruit, hire, onboard, and train pastry kitchen staff, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, collaboration, and teamwork.
- Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance evaluations to support professional growth and maintain high culinary standards.
- Develop and implement training programs to enhance pastry techniques, baking skills, presentation, and product knowledge.
- Prepare staff schedules to meet operational demands while effectively managing labor costs and productivity.
- Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability, consistency, and attention to detail.
- Encourage professional development, cross-training, and opportunities for advancement within the culinary team.

Guest Experience & Collaboration

- Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director, and other departments, including banquets, events, and front office, to ensure seamless coordination of culinary services.
- Oversee the preparation, presentation, and execution of pastry offerings for banquets, catering, private dining, and special events.
- Maintain a visible and engaged presence during key dining periods and special events, ensuring exceptional quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction.
- Partner with the culinary and service teams to develop customized desserts and specialty offerings for celebrations and unique guest experiences.
- Ensure all pastry offerings reflect the creativity, quality, and distinctive hospitality standards of Shenandoah Mansions and ASH Hotels.

Sustainability & Sourcing

- Source high-quality, local, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible.
- Develop relationships with local suppliers and farmers to enhance menu authenticity.
- Implement waste reduction and sustainable kitchen practices.

Qualifications

- Minimum of 3 years of professional pastry experience, preferably in an upscale restaurant, boutique hotel, or fine dining establishment.
- Culinary or pastry arts degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
- Strong knowledge of baking techniques, pastry production, chocolate work, and dessert presentation.
- Demonstrated creativity and attention to detail.
- Experience with inventory management, food costing, and production planning.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands.
- Commitment to maintaining exceptional culinary and hospitality standards.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

- Strong knowledge of classical and contemporary pastry techniques, baking methods, and dessert presentation.
- Experience creating pastry and dessert offerings that accommodate diverse dietary preferences and restrictions, including vegan, gluten-free, and other specialty diets.
- Passion for sustainable sourcing, seasonal ingredients, and farm-to-table culinary practices.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate, inspire, and develop a high-performing pastry team.
- Creativity and innovation in developing distinctive desserts, pastries, and baked goods that complement the hotel's culinary vision.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain consistency in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Exceptional organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a commitment to teamwork across culinary and Food & Beverage departments.
- Understanding of food costing, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
- Genuine passion for hospitality and a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences through quality, creativity, and presentation.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand the entire shift. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; stoop; bend; shake, stir, and pour; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee regularly comes into contact with water, sanitation solutions, and produce items. The employee is frequently required to wash hands. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Compensation Details

Salary $60,000

●       Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance to full-time employees

●       401 (k) with company match

●       Full time employees receive annually: 10 paid vacation days, 5 paid sick days, 4 paid personal days, 11 paid holidays

●       50% food & beverage discount and discounted hotel rooms at other Ash properties

●       Opportunity for growth within Shenandoah Mansions and parent company ASH NYC

Ash provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Ash complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Ash expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Improper interference with the ability of Ash employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge