Pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac to leave Neighborhood Restaurant Group

After nearly five years, Tiffany MacIsaac, one of the Mid-Atlantic's best-known pastry chefs, says she's leaving the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, probably to do something on her own.

"I'm 33, not sure what I want to do next, but I need to take a moment to reassess," MacIsaac said this morning. As executive pastry chef for the company, she was responsible for almost 20 restaurants and bakeries in the area. Her husband, Kyle Bailey, with whom she opened Birch & Barley in Logan Circle, plans to stay with NRG.

"I support whatever she wants to do," said Michael Babin, the restaurant company's head.  "She's a great friend, and always has been."

MacIsaac, whose handiwork featured childhood favorites with a twist, gave her employer six weeks' notice. Babin says he plans to look for a replacement -- or two, depending on the skill set -- both inside and outside the D.C. area.