A GM with a Special Gift

General managers have a range of talents. They’re knowledgeable about the industry, possess good people skills, function well under pressure and are solutions-oriented. When it comes to Amy St. John, GM of the 99-room Hampton Inn Anderson in Indiana, add one more: master baker.

A five-year M&R veteran, Amy sees baking as complementing her work at the Hampton. “In their way, both are about hospitality, making people feel welcome and comfortable, whether they are hotel guests, team members or the local community,” she said. “Baking also takes patience and balancing the right ingredients.”

Her specialties range from peanut butter cookies to red velvet cakes with cream cheese icing. “You also don’t necessarily get it right the first time,” Amy adds. “Rather, it’s about continuous improvement. Practice makes perfect.”

Luckily for team members at the Hampton, they get to experience Amy’s “hidden” talents on a regular basis: tasty samples fresh from the oven.