Nationally Lauded Pastry Chef Exits the Bakery She Founded

Michelle Gayer has left The Salty Tart and turned over operations to James Beard Award winning chef, Tim McKee. McKee has in turn brought in another well-known pastry chef to usher the Lowertown cafe into a new era, Adrienne Odom. Gayer, who had already closed the bakeries two other locations in Minneapolis, told the Star Tribune that she needed a break.

Odom comes to the job with plenty of pastry experience and laurels, having worked for the Parasole restaurant group, La Belle Vie, Solera, and more.

Gayer first came to the Twin Cities to help run a commercial baking operation after gaining wide acclaim for her pastries at Charlie Trotter’s iconic restaurant. Realizing she wanted her own place, Gayer first opened The Salty Tart in 2008 as a stand inside Midtown Global Market. Opening the Saint Paul location, inside McKee’s Market House Collective, was the realization of a long held dream to have a cafe serving The Salty Tart’s delicacies alongside savory dishes in a chic setting.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

That dream accomplished, Gayer said she’s looking forward to a new era of being able to actually sleep in, cook for her kids, and take care of herself. She’s also going to be working for Taher, Inc., the large food service company.

Meanwhile, guests can expect to see little to no changes at The Salty Tart Saint Paul for now.

• Michelle Gayer is leaving The Salty Tart, the bakery she founded in 2008 [STRIB]
• The Salty Tart Closes Minneapolis Location, But Saint Paul Will Carry On [ETC]
• The Salty Tart Saint Paul Acheives a Pastry Queen’s Dream [ETC]