Pastry Chef

The-Hamilton; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly bonus potential

Company-funded retirement plan (401k)

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Training & education

Dining discounts

Parking benefits

Employee assistance

Wellness programs

Discounts

Job summary

The Hamilton in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Pastry Chef to lead a full pastry program in a high-volume, upscale casual setting. You will partner with the Executive Chef to develop plated desserts, breads, chocolate work, and seasonal specialties, while building a dedicated pastry team.

This hands-on leadership role requires a track record of driving menu development, managing costs, and upholding craft and consistency in a fast-paced venue connected to Hamilton Live.

Qualifications

• Proven pastry leadership experience in a high-volume, upscale dining environment.
• Proven ability to develop and execute a full scratch pastry program: plated desserts, breads, chocolate, seasonal menus.
• Deep command of classical and contemporary pastry techniques in a scratch kitchen.
• Experience hiring, scheduling, and developing a pastry team in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant.
• Solid grasp of food costs, inventory, and portioning at scale.
• Collaborative leader who upholds quality while maintaining culture.
• Genuine passion for American cuisine and curiosity about its direction.
• Ability to thrive in high-volume upscale environment without sacrificing craft.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and ongoing evolution of The Hamilton's scratch pastry program — plated desserts, bread program, chocolate work, and seasonal specials.
• Drive menu development in collaboration with culinary leadership, bringing creativity and consistency in equal measure.
• Direct and develop your pastry team — hiring, scheduling, training, and day-to-day coaching in a high-volume Washington, DC kitchen.
• Set and enforce quality standards for taste, temperature, portioning, and presentation across all from-scratch production.
• Manage pastry inventory, portion specs, and cost controls at scale.
• Monitor daily kitchen labor reports and drive accountability on cost targets.
• Maintain rigorous safety, sanitation, and equipment standards.
• Collaborate with FOH and events team on programming connected to Hamilton Live.

Skills

Pastry leadership

Menu development

Pastry techniques

Team supervision

Food cost control

Job description

Location: Washington, DC, United States
Date Posted: Oct 26, 2026

Base Salary: $80,000 - $95,000 / year based on experience + Quarterly Bonus Potential

The Hamilton is one of DC's most iconic dining and entertainment destinations — a high-volume, $30M operation in the heart of downtown Washington, DC, connected to Hamilton Live, one of the city's premier live music venues. We're looking for a seasoned, working Pastry Chef ready to partner with the Executive Chef to lead the creative development and execution of a scratch pastry program at scale.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for a skilled pastry professional who thrives in high‑volume, upscale casual environment. You'll drive menu development from concept to plate — plated desserts, an artisan bread program, chocolate work, and seasonal specialties — while building and developing a dedicated pastry team.

If you're a Executive Pastry Chef or Head Pastry Chef ready to step into or continue leading a full pastry program at a high‑profile DMV institution, we want to hear from you.

WHY JOIN THE CLYDE'S TEAM AS PASTRY CHEF

• Reputable Company: Strong stability and performance.
• Positive Culture: Courtesy, dignity, and respect.
• Retirement Plans: 100% company-funded pension (vesting after 1 year) and immediate 401k participation.
• Bonuses: Quarterly eligibility.
• Flexible Schedule: 5‑day work week.
• Comprehensive Health Plan: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, telemedicine, wellness coach, and reduced rates on wellness services.
• Insurance: Hospital indemnity, critical illness, accident coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Includes sick pay, medical/family leave (up to 8 weeks), special leaves (jury duty, voting, school activities for DC).
• Therapy Resources: Access to free behavioral and digital cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Dining Discounts: Half‑price off-duty dining and complimentary shift meals.
• Convenient Parking: Available parking benefits.
• Employee Assistance: Legal, emotional, financial, and work/life balance support.
• Financial Assistance: Assistance fund for employees in need.
• Training & Education: Best‑in‑class training program and tuition reimbursement.
• Flu Shots & Discounts: Annual flu shots and access to thousands of exclusive brand discounts.
• Charity Matching: Up to $4,000 yearly.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN A PASTRY CHEF

• Proven pastry leadership experience in a high-volume, upscale dining environment.
• Proven ability to develop and execute a full scratch pastry program: plated desserts, artisan breads, chocolate work, and seasonal menu development.
• Deep command of classical and contemporary pastry techniques in a scratch kitchen environment.
• Experience hiring, scheduling, and developing a pastry team in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant.
• Solid grasp of food costs, inventory, and portioning at scale.
• A collaborative leader who holds the line on quality while keeping culture strong.
• Genuine passion for American cuisine and curiosity about where it's headed.
• Ability to thrive in a high-volume, upscale environment without sacrificing craft or consistency.

WHAT YOU WILL DO AS A PASTRY CHEF

• Lead the creation and ongoing evolution of The Hamilton's scratch pastry program — plated desserts, bread program, chocolate work, and seasonal specials.
• Drive menu development in collaboration with culinary leadership, bringing creativity and consistency in equal measure.
• Direct and develop your pastry team — hiring, scheduling, training, and day‑to‑day coaching in a high-volume Washington, DC kitchen.
• Set and enforce quality standards for taste, temperature, portioning, and presentation across all from‑scratch production.
• Manage pastry inventory, portion specs, and cost controls at scale.
• Monitor daily kitchen labor reports and drive accountability on cost targets.
• Maintain rigorous safety, sanitation, and equipment standards.
• Collaborate with FOH and events team on programming connected to Hamilton Live.

ABOUT US

Since 1963, Clyde's Restaurant Group has been a leader in the DMV restaurant scene, known for exceptional guest service and fostering a positive culture for employees. Our 12 properties include Clyde's, Old Ebbitt Grill, The Hamilton, 1789 Restaurant, Fitzgerald's, The Tombs, Rye Street Tavern, Cordelia Fishbar, Hamilton Live, and Ebbitt House (opening Fall 2026).

Clyde’s Restaurant Group participates in E-Verify. We use the federal E-Verify system to confirm that new hires are authorized to work in the United States. Click here to learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work.

We are committed to building an inclusive team and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.