Baker / Pastry Cook

16 on Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance with employer contrib

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short term disability

Accident insurance

Hospital coverage

401(k) with company match

Dining discounts and show tickets

Transit benefits

Job summary

16 On Center, Good Ambler bakery in Chicago, is seeking a Baker / Pastry Cook to produce laminated pastries, quick breads and other baked goods. This role requires a 4 am start and weekend availability, working independently while supporting the team to maintain quality.

Responsibilities include croissants, cookies, cakes, jams, and seasonal chocolate work, plus café service and general kitchen tasks. The team fosters growth and learning in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional pastry experience or completion of pastry school.
• Viennoiserie / laminated doughs preferred.
• Must have or be willing to obtain a food handler’s certification.
• Must be able to reliably work 4am start times, including weekends.
• Able to work efficiently while maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality products.
• Communicates effectively, works well both independently and as part of a team, and is adaptable, open to feedback, and committed to learning and growth.
• Able to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing/walking for up to 10 hours, lifting up to 50 lbs, and performing repetitive tasks.
• Comfortable working in an environment with potential allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, eggs, and dairy

Responsibilities

• Baking, finishing, and packaging croissants and breakfast pastries each morning for sale in the cafe and distribution to our wholesale partners
• Producing cookies, cakes, jams, custards, and other dessert components.
• Assisting with chocolate production and packaging during seasonal periods.
• Preparing and serving items from the café menu.
• Supporting general kitchen operations, including cleaning, dishwashing, trash removal, sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing.
• Collaborating with the team and assisting in other tasks as needed.

Skills

Pastry experience

Laminated doughs

Food handler cert

Punctuality

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication

Physical stamina

Allergen awareness

Job description

Description

About Us:

16 On Center Chicago owns and operates several live music venues, third-party production, restaurants, bars, and food halls across Chicago and New York. Join the team of one of the country's leading independent promoters.

Our most effective service to our community comes from a team with a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. 16 On Center actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Summary

As the Baker / Pastry Cook at Good Ambler, you will be responsible for producing laminated breakfast pastries, quick breads, and other baked goods. This role requires early morning start times (4 am) and weekend availability. The Baker / Pastry Cook must be able to work independently, move efficiently through tasks while maintaining quality, and support the team in all areas of production.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Baking, finishing, and packaging croissants and breakfast pastries each morning for sale in the cafe and distribution to our wholesale partners
• Producing cookies, cakes, jams, custards, and other dessert components.
• Assisting with chocolate production and packaging during seasonal periods.
• Preparing and serving items from the café menu.
• Supporting general kitchen operations, including cleaning, dishwashing, trash removal, sweeping,mopping, and scrubbing.
• Collaborating with the team and assisting in other tasks as needed.

Requirements

About You:

• 2+ years of professional pastry experience or completion of pastry school.
• Experience with viennoiserie / laminated doughs preferred
• Must have or be willing to obtain a food handler’s certification
• Must be able to reliably work 4am start times, including weekends.
• Able to work efficiently while maintaining a clean and organized workspace
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality products.
• Communicates effectively, works well both independently and as part of a team, and is adaptable,open to feedback, and committed to learning and growth.
• Able to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing/walking for up to 10 hours, lifting up to 50 lbs, and performing repetitive tasks such as scooping dough, spreading batters, and piping fillings
• Comfortable working in an environment with potential allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, eggs, and dairy

Position Details & Benefits:

• Job Type: Full-time, Hourly (35+ hours/week)
• Compensation: $20–$22 per hour, depending on experience
• Paid leave and paid sick leave in accordance with Chicago requirements.
• Health insurance with employer contribution, plus voluntary dental, vision, life, short term disability, accident, and hospital coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match, once eligibility requirements are met.
• Dining discounts at 16 On Center properties and complimentary or discounted tickets to shows at 16 On Center venues, including Salt Shed, Thalia Hall, SPACE, and Empty Bottle, subject to availability.
• Transit benefits through a pre-tax payroll deduction program