Pastry Chef

KD Market; Crystal Lake, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) Retirement Plan

Grocery Discount

Shift Meal Perks

Whole Life Insurance

Job summary

Krystyna’s Deli, Inc. (KD Market) in Crystal Lake, IL is seeking a skilled Pastry Chef to lead bakery production, craft cakes, cookies, and European pastries, and maintain high quality and safety standards.

The role requires early morning shifts and weekend work, with opportunities to mentor bakers and help manage inventory and ordering. You will follow traditional recipes, test ingredients, control costs, and ensure presentation meets display standards.

Qualifications

• Must possess IDPH Certification and ServSafe Food Handler Certification.
• Professional pastry, cake decorating, and baking technique expertise.
• Ability to work early morning/weekend shifts in hot bakery environments.

Responsibilities

• Pastry & Cake Production: Create cakes, cookies, pies, sweet rolls, paczki, and European pastries following traditional recipes.
• Decorating & Presentation: Decorate pastries with precision icing and toppings for attractive display case presentation.
• Quality & Ordering: Test raw ingredients, monitor flour/sugar inventory, and order baking supplies within budget.
• Pastry Team Guidance: Guide and motivate bakers and pastry assistants in dough handling and oven temperatures.

Skills

Pastry production

Cake decorating

Baking techniques

Team guidance

Education

IDPH Certification

ServSafe Food Handler Certification

Job description

Position Overview

Pastry Chef creates a variety of desserts, including pastries, cookies, cakes, candies and other sweets. This requires both technical baking skills and a creative eye. Pastry chefs also create recipes or follow existing ones, using a creative flair to their craft, but all the time maintaining records, ordering food, and enforcing food safety standards. To be a successful Pastry Chef, you should be efficient and friendly with a focus on food quality and customer satisfaction. You should be organized, decisive, attentive, and possess a strong understanding of baking techniques.

Key Responsibilities & Core Duties

• Pastry & Cake Production: Create cakes, cookies, pies, sweet rolls, paczki, and European pastries following traditional recipes.

• Decorating & Presentation: Decorate pastries with precision icing and toppings for attractive display case presentation.

• Quality & Ordering: Test raw ingredients, monitor flour/sugar inventory, and order baking supplies within budget.

• Pastry Team Guidance: Guide and motivate bakers and pastry assistants in dough handling and oven temperatures.

Qualifications & Position Requirements

• IDPH Certification & ServSafe Food Handler Certification required.

• Professional pastry, cake decorating, and baking technique expertise.

• Ability to work early morning/weekend shifts in hot bakery environments.

Compensation, Benefits & Employee Perks

KD Market offers a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package for regular full-time employees:

• Medical Insurance: Available for full-time employees after 90 days of employment.
• Voluntary Dental & Vision Insurance: Available after 90 days.
• Paid Time Off: Paid Holidays and Paid Vacation accrual after 90 days.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Qualified retirement plan with up to 4% company match after 180 days of employment.
• Store Grocery Discount: 10% employee discount on store purchases, extended to the employee's spouse.
• Shift Meal Perks: One complimentary custom sandwich per shift during meal breaks, plus discounted pricing on store lunch meals.
• Whole Life Insurance: Voluntary portable whole life insurance options.

Certifications & Licenses

Must possess a valid State of Illinois Department of Public Health Food Handler Certification

Equal Opportunity Employer

Krystyna’s Deli, Inc. (KD Market) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or protected status.