Anne Specker

The Path

Pastry training at The French Culinary Institute gave Anne Specker a formal base for a practice already organized around control, repetition, and timing. The early jobs map that discipline in sequence: Pastry Cook at Kyotofu in New York, NY, US (2009), Pastry Cook at Maison Carratié (2009–2010), and Pastry Cook at CityZen in Washington, DC, US (2010–2012). At CityZen, the title changes with the work: Pastry Sous Chef at CityZen in Washington, DC, US (2012–2013), then Executive Pastry Chef at CityZen in Washington, DC, US (2013–2014). Each step shows a kitchen trusting Specker with more responsibility across the same core craft. A long run at Kinship in Washington, DC, US (2015–2022) put consistency at the center of the dessert program, with seven years of service behind the title Pastry Chef. After that, the work shifted into a more consultative mode as Pastry Consultant at Manifest Bread in Riverdale Park, MD, US (2023), then back into a restaurant rhythm as Pastry Chef at Aventino in Bethesda, MD, US (2023–2025). Across those roles, Specker’s career stays rooted in exacting pastry work, with each post extending the same standards into a new house.

The Work Today

Specker’s pastry is built around a straightforward rule: dessert can stay grounded in tradition and still read as current. In her own words, she worked “in the pastry department focusing on traditional but modern Spanish desserts and weddings.” That frame points to a practice that respects classic forms, keeps the finish clean, and treats event work and restaurant dessert work as separate demands with the same need for precision. Read as craft lineage, that means the repetition of watching, stirring, tasting, and learning how attention gets translated into food. In a professional setting, that sort of training tends to show up as patience, structure, and a disciplined sense of what deserves to stay on the plate.

Career - Pastry Cook — Kyotofu, New York, NY, US (2009) - Pastry Cook — Maison Carratié (2009–2010) - Pastry Cook — CityZen, Washington, DC, US (2010–2012) - Pastry Sous Chef — CityZen, Washington, DC, US (2012–2013) - Executive Pastry Chef — CityZen, Washington, DC, US (2013–2014) - Pastry Chef — Kinship, Washington, DC, US (2015–2022) - Pastry Consultant — Manifest Bread, Riverdale Park, MD, US (2023) - Pastry Chef — Aventino, Bethesda, MD, US (2023–2025) Education: The French Culinary Institute

Signature

Anne's signature dishes include Rockfish Étouffé.

In Their Words “I worked in the pastry department focusing on traditional but modern Spanish desserts and weddings.”

Acclaim

Anne's honors include James Beard Best Pastry Chef Semifinalist (2022), Michelin Star (2017), and Michelin Star (2016).

FAQ Where did Anne Specker train or study? Anne Specker trained at The French Culinary Institute. What recognition has Anne Specker received? James Beard Best Pastry Chef Semifinalist (2022).