Pastry Chef

BLUE PLATE CATERING LTD; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

BLUE PLATE CATERING LTD is seeking a Pastry Chef to lead all pastry and dessert operations across catering events and venues. You will develop seasonal menus, craft signature desserts, and oversee daily production while driving quality, safety, and cost efficiency.

You will recruit, mentor a pastry team and collaborate with Executive Chef and Sales to deliver memorable dessert experiences in line with Blue Plate’s culinary standards.

Qualifications

• Lead pastry and dessert program across catering events and venues.
• Develop innovative seasonal menus and signature desserts.
• Build and mentor a high-performing pastry team.
• Maintain HACCP and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Establish vision and standards for pastry and dessert operations.
• Develop production schedules and ensure timely pastry execution.
• Recruit, hire, and develop pastry staff; provide coaching.
• Monitor labor and food costs; manage inventory and waste reduction.
• Collaborate with Culinary Leadership and Sales for dessert concepts.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and certifications.

Skills

Pastry leadership

Menu development

Team building

Cost management

Food safety

Job description

Description

Department: Culinary

FLSA: Exempt

Status: Full Time

Reports to: Executive Chef

Customary Days: Sunday - Saturday

Customary Hours: Varies to include evenings, holidays, and extended hours as business requires

Position Summary

The Pastry Chef is responsible for leading all aspects of Blue Plate’s pastry and dessert program, ensuring exceptional quality, creativity, consistency, and operational excellence across all catering events and venue operations. This role oversees the daily production and execution of the Pastry department while developing innovative seasonal items, maintaining safety standards, managing labor and food costs, and leading a high-performing pastry team. Working closely with the Executive Chef and Culinary Leadership Team and Sales, the Pastry Chef creates memorable dessert experiences that reflect Blue Plate’s commitment to culinary excellence, innovation, and exceptional guest service.

Essential Functions

Culinary Leadership

• Establish the vision, standards, and direction for all pastry and dessert operations.
• Develop innovative seasonal menus, signature desserts, breads, pastries, wedding cakes, specialty displays, and custom client offerings.
• Partner with the Executive Chef and Culinary Leadership Team on menu development, company initiatives, and culinary strategy.
• Research culinary trends, techniques, ingredients, and equipment to continuously evolve Blue Plate's pastry program.
• Ensure consistency, presentation, flavor, and execution across all pastry production.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, hire, train, coach, mentor, and develop pastry employees.
• Build a high-performing pastry team through continuous coaching and professional development.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct performance evaluations.
• Provide regular feedback, recognition, and corrective action when appropriate.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning by identifying and developing future pastry leaders.

Operations Management

• Direct all daily pastry production to ensure timely execution for catering events, venues, tastings, and special projects.
• Develop production schedules that maximize efficiency while maintaining exceptional quality.
• Monitor labor utilization and staffing needs to support changing business demands.
• Ensure proper inventory management, ordering, product rotation, and waste reduction.
• Maintain all pastry equipment and coordinate maintenance as necessary.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the annual pastry department budget.
• Monitor labor costs, food costs, inventory, and departmental financial performance.
• Identify operational efficiencies while maintaining Blue Plate's quality standards.
• Partner with Purchasing to source premium ingredients and negotiate favorable vendor pricing.
• Analyze production trends and implement process improvements.

Client Experience

• Participate in client tastings and menu presentations.
• Collaborate with Sales and Event Operations to develop customized dessert experiences.
• Support high-profile events and attend functions when leadership presence is required.
• Ensure pastry execution consistently exceeds client expectations.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, federal, and company food safety regulations.
• Maintain sanitation, HACCP, and food handling standards throughout pastry operations.
• Promote a safe, organized, and clean work environment.
• Ensure all department employees maintain required certifications and follow company policies.

Collaboration

• Participate in