Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge
With more than 13 years of global culinary experience, Chef Ben Kallenbach brings an extensive culinary skillset and fresh talent to the role of executive pastry chef at The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel in Charlotte, NC. He oversees the hotel’s pastry team and creation of all desserts, including the dessert menus and artisan breads served at Gallery Restaurant.
Prior to joining The Ballantyne, Chef Ben spent many years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Most recently, he was executive pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. In addition, he worked in pastry at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain and at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia.
Originally from Fulton, Illinois, Chef Ben discovered his passion for pastry and bakery arts while attending Kendall College in Chicago. Throughout his career, Chef Ben has studied with some of the world’s best pastry chefs.