A novel four-component diastereoselective synthesis of pyridinium salts of piperidin-2-ones is reported. The Michael–Mannich cascade was conducted using Michael acceptors, pyridinium ylides, aromatic aldehydes and ammonium acetate in methanol. It is a convenient approach to the synthesis of 1-((3SR,4RS,6SR)-5,5-dicyano-2-oxo-4,6-diarylpiperidin-3-yl)pyridin-1-ium halogenides with three stereocenters in 48–84% or 1-((3SR,4RS,5RS,6SR)-5-cyano-5-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-oxo-4,6-diarylpiperidin-3-yl)pyridin-1-ium halogenide with four stereocenters in 44–74%. This reaction is highly stereoselective. Only one diastereomer was formed. Ammonium acetate plays a dual role, acting as a base and as a nitrogen source. Structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and mass spectra. The formation of a single diastereomer was confirmed by singe-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.