Pastry Chef
Park 75, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
In January of 2012, Charles Barrett joined Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta as Pastry Chef. He not only brings with him undeniable enthusiasm for the pastry arts, but also many years of experience culled from stops at some notable Atlanta establishments.
His professional training was acquired through a culinary apprenticeship with the American Culinary Federation while working at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Although his early experience was not pastry related, his love of the ‘sweet stuff’ was cemented after an opportunity to train under Abby Ryland, a former US Pastry Team member. From there, he joined the team at the Cobb Galleria, one of the nation’s leading convention centers, and was instrumental in directing the scratch-bake operation. Prior to taking the helm in the pastry department at Four Seasons, Charles led the pastry program for A Legendary Event, an award-winning full-service special events company specializing in catering, design and floral.
As Pastry Chef at Four Seasons, Barrett oversees menu development, staff training and production. He is excited about the professional opportunities presented by his ‘home away from home.’ The hotel offers numerous paths to display pastry excellence, bridging many disciplines and styles. Motivated by the opportunity to change his menu seasonally and be creative with every special event at the hotel, Barrett is excited to continually find ‘new and innovative ways to surprise and delight his diners.’
Charles and his wife Jackie have recently moved to Flowery Branch, GA., a northern suburb of Atlanta that reminds him of his childhood home in Oakwood, GA. He remarks that Flowery Branch is a beautiful place to live and raise a family and a garden, and watch both grow and flourish