Atlanta Restaurants Appoint New Pastry Talent
Aria and McKendrick's Steak House have hired new pastry chefs as part of a local culinary staffing shift.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Desserts
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Atlanta restaurants Aria and McKendrick's Steak House have appointed new pastry chefs to their culinary teams. The moves follow a year of extensive staffing changes at Aria.
Why it matters
Aria brought on its new pastry chef for her technical foundation and creative personality to work alongside the restaurant's executive chef. These appointments reflect ongoing efforts by local dining establishments to elevate their dessert programs.
Pine Street Market earned a $10,000 award at the Georgia Innovation Expo for its signature sausage. The winning product, made with chicken, herbs, and peanuts, retails at $12 for a four-pack.
The players
Elissa Hayward
She is the newly appointed pastry chef at Aria.
Lauren Brandon
She serves as the newly appointed pastry chef at McKendrick's Steak House.
Austin Goetzman
He is the executive chef at Aria who leads the kitchen operations.
Pine Street Market
This local business won the Georgia Innovation Expo award for its sausage product.
The details
Elissa Hayward joins Aria to work with executive chef Austin Goetzman, while Lauren Brandon has been hired at McKendrick's Steak House. Meanwhile, Pine Street Market received recognition for its innovative sausage flavor profile.
Timeline
October 2026 marked a period of restaurant openings across Atlanta.
October 24, 2026, is the date of publication.
November 2026 is the scheduled opening for Milk and Maple Coffee House.
Culture Shift
The hiring of pastry chefs follows the competitive standard set by the Georgia Innovation Expo awards, which identifies culinary excellence in the region. This trend emphasizes a broader shift toward artisanal, locally sourced production in the Atlanta food scene.
Diners can expect updated dessert menus at Aria and McKendrick's Steak House following these recent staff changes. Additionally, local shoppers can find the award-winning sausage from Pine Street Market available for $12.
The takeaway
These staffing moves and industry awards highlight the vibrant growth of the local culinary industry in Atlanta. Residents looking for new experiences may find upgraded menu options at these popular dining spots.
What happens next
Milk and Maple Coffee House is scheduled to open in November 2026, while the Trillith Cafe in Fayetteville is slated to open next month.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, see our Desserts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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