Hi, I'm Ashley
With over a decade of experience as a Pastry Chef specializing in various desserts and ice cream, I am passionate about crafting innovative, high-quality products that not only delight customers but also help clients achieve their unique business goals.
My career is driven by a commitment to creativity, consistency, and excellence in the ever-evolving world of baking and pastry arts. In addition to product development and consultation, I offer baking and pastry classes in which you can sign up and come on your own, bring a friend, and go home probably having made some new ones. These sessions are designed for individuals looking to enhance their baking skills, explore new techniques, and bring a little extra fun into their kitchens.
My Story
Hi, I’m Ashley — a pastry chef, product developer, and sweet treat educator with a passion for creativity. My story starts as a girl from a small town, and leads to adventures throughout the cobblestone streets of Europe with a sweet pastry in one hand and savory in the other.
Born and raised in Northern New York (way up North where an occasional moose in the yard isn't necessarily out of the ordinary), I later moved to Buffalo to pursue my degree in Baking and Pastry Arts at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, graduating in 2013. Clearly, I must have some kind of attachment to the Winter months, as I moved from one blanket of snow to the next.
Just three weeks after graduation, I followed a long-standing curiosity: What would it be like to live and work in Europe? I packed a suitcase, booked a flight, and headed to Germany - despite not speaking a word of the language (okay, I did learn how to say "help," "fire," and "water", given the possibility of an emergency). What I imagined to be a one to two year adventure learning from a few great chefs and broadening my horizons, quickly turned into nearly eight. Germany very quickly became my second home.
My first full time position, was at the Hyatt Regency Cologne, where I joined the pastry kitchen as a Commis Pâtissier. There, I dove headfirst into the world of plated desserts, glassware presentations, and creative menu development. Next, I joined the opening team of a new, family-friendly restaurant, working alongside a Michelin-starred chef. This was where I learned to truly run a pastry kitchen on my own, being a one woman show when it came to all things dessert. Developing a rotating menu of ice creams, cakes, and tarts, and blending German classics with a modern, American pizzazz. Soon after, I stepped into a leadership role as Production Lead at an e-commerce large scale production bakery (now owned by Dr. Oetker). The fast-paced environment taught me how to scale operations, manage a rapidly growing team, oversee inventory and purchasing, and stay ahead of trends through constant innovation. I led product development - from flavor creation - trial and error - to final design and execution into daily production workflow.
Eventually, I realized it was time. The majority of my twenties had been fulfilled with memories, an international family, and experiences I never imagined would become my reality. Long shifts in kitchens, spontaneous trips across Europe through big cities and tiny villages for the largest amount of food I could possibly consume during my stay, and life in a cozy shoebox apartment all needed to come to an end. With a heavy and grateful heart, I decided it was time to turn the page and return to the U.S to explore opportunities back in the city of the Bills Mafia.
Now back in Buffalo, I’ve focused my career on product development and management at local favorites like Rosie’s Handcrafted Ice Cream and a few other beloved local spots, while also teaching hands-on pastry classes for adults looking to spark creativity in their home kitchens, and genuinely just have fun whilst expanding their baking horizons.
Everything I do is driven by a love for the ever-evolving world of all things food. If you're looking to enhance your baking skills and want to bring a friend, or maybe even make some new ones - keep an eye out for my class offerings on my Instagram and sign up. If you're looking for fresh and creative ideas for your menu, help with kitchen or inventory workflow, staffing and scheduling guidance, or just someone to bounce your business dreams off of - let's chat. For me, my career path has never been "just a job", it’s my passion. When we work together, your goals become my goals.
Let’s make something scrumptious happen. I hope to meet you soon.
