Dessert Lead Pastry Sous Chef - Onboard Cruise

American Cruise Lines; Yorktown (VA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel, room and board

Uniforms and training

Job summary

American Cruise Lines is seeking a Sous Chef - Pastry and Dessert Lead to manage dessert production aboard our US-flag vessels for the 2027 season, delivering high-quality pastries, breads, and confections as part of the daily menu matrix.

You will lead the culinary team, uphold FDA standards, and ensure consistency with the main restaurant across all ship buffets and dining venues while living onboard in comfortable quarters.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or pastry & baking or 3–5 years of quality production experience.
• Basic understanding of professional baking, pastries, and F&B knowledge.
• Problem solving, organization, and self-motivation.
• Commitment to quality service.
• Must pass pre-employment drug test and criminal background check.
• TWIC required; ability to perform essential functions with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary team to produce desserts, pastries, breads, and hors d'oeuvres with high guest scores.
• Ensure world-class skill and presentation across all ship food offerings.
• Prepare items per established recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards.
• Set up, maintain, and break down stations per FDA standards.
• Taste products for quality and report shortages or maintenance needs.
• Maintain inventory and schedule production of baked goods.

Skills

Dessert production

Food & beverage knowledge

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree in Culinary Arts or pastry & baking

Tools

TWIC credential

Criminal background check

Job description

American Cruise Lines is seeking a Sous Chef - Pastry and Dessert Lead to manage dessert production aboard our US-flag vessels for the 2027 season, delivering high-quality pastries, breads, and confections as part of the daily menu matrix.

You will lead the culinary team, uphold FDA standards, and ensure consistency with the main restaurant across all ship buffets and dining venues while living onboard in comfortable quarters.