Cake Decorator

Citarella - The Ultimate Gourmet Market; New York (NY); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Citarella is seeking a skilled cake decorator to join our pastry team in New York. In this role, you will decorate premium cakes, pastries, and desserts in accordance with Citarella's designs and presentation standards.

The ideal candidate has hands-on decorating experience, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to produce high-quality finished products in a fast-paced production environment. You will work closely with the pastry team to ensure exceptional quality and consistency across all

Qualifications

• Hands-on cake decorating or professional bakery experience.
• Ability to assemble, fill, frost, and decorate cakes.
• Proficient in icing, frostings, and fillings.
• Experience with piping, lettering, decorative finishing.
• Follow established recipes, decorating specifications, and production instructions.

Responsibilities

• Decorate and finish cakes, tarts, pastries, cupcakes, and specialty desserts according to Citarella's designs and standards.
• Assemble, layer, fill, frost, and finish cakes using approved methods.
• Prepare icings, frostings, fillings, glazes, and finishes while maintaining quality and consistency.
• Apply professional piping, lettering, borders, and other decorative techniques per standards.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitized workstation and equipment.
• Follow food safety and allergen-handling procedures; report quality concerns to management.

Skills

Cake decorating

Pastry production

Piping techniques

Detail-oriented

Time management

Team collaboration

Job description

Led by dynamic owner Joe Gurrera and his commitment to superior quality, Citarella has grown from a respected NYC fish market into a full-scale Ultimate Gourmet Market with locations across New York City, the Hamptons, and Greenwich, Connecticut.

A family-run business, we're driven by a passion for great food. We delight customers with the finest selection of fresh seafood, prime, dry-aged beef, chef-prepared specialties, handcrafted pastries, international cheeses, imported groceries, and more. Join our team of seasoned professionals and become part of the fabric of the New York food scene.

Role Overview

Citarella is seeking a skilled, detail-oriented Cake Decorator to join our pastry team. In this role, you will be responsible for assembling, decorating, and finishing a variety of premium cakes, pastries, and specialty desserts in accordance with Citarella's established recipes, designs, and presentation standards.

The ideal candidate possesses strong technical decorating skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to consistently produce high-quality finished products in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment. Working closely with our pastry team, you will help ensure every product reflects Citarella's commitment to exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and consistency.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Decorate and finish cakes, tarts, pastries, cupcakes, and specialty desserts according to Citarella's established designs, recipes, and presentation standards.
• Assemble, layer, fill, frost, and finish cakes using approved production methods and specifications.
• Prepare and apply icings, frostings, fillings, glazes, and decorative finishes while maintaining consistency in appearance, texture, and quality.
• Execute professional piping, lettering, borders, and other decorative techniques according to established company standards.
• Work with fondant, chocolate, and other decorative ingredients as required by approved product specifications.
• Complete cake orders accurately according to established designs, portion sizes, and production requirements.
• Assist with the preparation and production of additional pastry items, including parfaits, bars, and cupcakes, as needed.
• Follow daily production sheets, recipes, and established procedures to meet required production quantities and deadlines.
• Maintain accurate production and spoilage records to support inventory control and minimize product waste.
• Inspect finished products to ensure consistency, freshness, quality, and adherence to Citarella's presentation standards.
• Properly package, label, store, and rotate finished products according to established food safety and handling procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitized workstations, tools, and equipment.
• Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, allergen-handling, and workplace safety procedures.
• Communicate effectively with pastry team members and supervisors regarding production priorities, product quality, and operational needs.
• Promptly report product quality concerns, equipment issues, and potential safety hazards to management.
• Perform additional pastry production and decorating duties as assigned by management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous hands-on experience in cake decorating, pastry production, or a professional bakery environment.
• Demonstrated ability to assemble, layer, fill, frost, and decorate cakes.
• Proficiency in preparing and applying icings, frostings, and fillings.
• Experience with professional piping techniques, cake lettering, and decorative finishing.
• Ability to accurately follow established recipes, decorating specifications, and production instructions.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to consistently reproduce established cake designs and presentation standards.
• Ability to work efficiently and maintain quality in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to safely operate standard bakery tools and equipment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with the pastry team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with fondant, including covering cakes and creating decorative elements.
• Experience with chocolate tempering, chocolate piping, and decorative chocolate techniques.
• Experience assembling mousse cakes, specialty cakes, and layered desserts.
• Familiarity with gourmet pastry production and premium bakery presentation standards.
• Knowledge of food allergens, cross-contact prevention, and safe food handling practices.
• Experience in a commercial bakery, pastry kitchen, or high-volume food production environment.

Physical & Additional Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods while performing decorating and pastry production duties.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks requiring manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and precision.
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, including refrigerated and warm production areas.
• Report to work on time, neatly groomed, and wearing the appropriate company-issued uniform and required protective equipment.
• Maintain proper personal hygiene and follow established food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Ability to work assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays, based on operational needs.