A Sweet New Chapter: Sean McGovern Joins Feast Your Eyes as Executive Pastry Chef

Chef Sean in the Feast Your Eyes kitchen adding the final chocolate drizzle to a client cake.

Feast Your Eyes is excited to introduce our new Executive Pastry Chef, Sean McGovern. With an impressive career that spans some of Philadelphia’s most iconic restaurants, Sean is ready to take Feast’s pastry department to extraordinary new heights.  

Sean’s journey to becoming an executive pastry chef started in the kitchen, just not with dough between his fingers. He got his start in high school as a dishwasher, and from there, he worked his way through various roles, including prep cook and fish monger during college. When he found his way to pastry, Sean knew he truly found his calling. 

“I just started baking for birthdays and holidays. I have a record of every recipe I’ve used all the way back to high school,” said Sean.  

After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, Sean moved from South Jersey to Philadelphia to immerse himself in the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Here, he refined his craft at some of the area’s most renowned kitchens, from the traditional Italian sweets at Termini Brothers Bakery to dessert creations at several acclaimed STARR Restaurants, including Barclay Prime, Talula’s Daily, Parc, and The Love. Most recently, Sean was the Pastry Chef at URBN Shop 543 in the Navy Yard. 

"While I truly valued my time at URBN and the experiences I gained there, I felt ready to take the next step in my career,” Sean shares. “When I came across the open Executive Pastry Chef position at Feast, it immediately felt like the right fit. I missed being part of a collaborative team, particularly the behind-the-scenes planning, meetings, and the decision-making process. I’m excited to join a team that shares a passion for growth and excellence, and I look forward to leading a department that we can all be proud of.” 

(Left) Chef Sean on the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown. (Right) Beautiful, spring-themed cupcakes by Chef Sean.

One of Sean’s most high-profile creative challenges also included his appearance on the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown. In the episode, Sean recreated a scene from The Nutcracker using gingerbread, complete with moving, motorized parts.

“It was an ambitious project,” Sean recalls. “We created three scenes, each set on a rotating platform so every angle was visible. I’m proud to say we won the challenge. It was an amazing experience, and I’d love to do it again!” 

Beyond the kitchen, Sean’s creative pursuits extend to a variety of hands-on arts, including sewing, embroidery, and printmaking. “I’ve got 20 half-finished projects at home,” Sean laughs. “Most recently, I’ve been focused on learning to sew and embroider. I even made a few pieces of clothing that aren’t half bad! And printmaking is another hobby of mine that I’m pretty decent at.” 

“Sean brings a passion for creating pastries and desserts that go above and beyond traditional desserts whether through flavor or design or both,” says Anthony Lehman, CEO & Owner of Feast Your Eyes. “His desserts are like little pieces of artwork you get to taste and enjoy. We’re excited for our customers and guests to get to be part of the experience.” 

Join us in welcoming Chef Sean and get ready to indulge in his beautifully crafted desserts at your next Feast event! To see more of Sean’s beautiful desserts, be sure to check out his Instagram account - @sean.mcgov!