About This Role
This Pastry Chef role involves leading the pastry program for two upscale-casual restaurants, Max's Tavern and Max's Swing Lounge, located in Springfield, MA. The position suits a detail-oriented and creative chef passionate about developing exceptional, seasonal dessert menus in a high-energy environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead the creation and execution of the dessert menu, ensuring each dish complements the diverse culinary offerings at both Max
- Oversee the daily production of desserts, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery of all pastry items
- Manage inventory and ordering for pastry ingredients, ensuring the kitchen is fully stocked and organized
- Collaborate with the Executive Chef to develop new seasonal desserts that align with the restaurants' evolving menus
- Manage food and labor costs effectively to stay within budget while maintaining exceptional quality
- Supervise and mentor pastry assistants, ensuring they meet training and quality standards
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment in accordance with food safety regulations
- Create and maintain detailed recipe books and production schedules
- Assist in special event or catering dessert creation when needed
Requirements
- Proven experience as a Pastry Chef (3-5 years strongly preferred) in a fine-dining or upscale-casual kitchen
- Strong background in creating high-quality desserts with attention to flavor, presentation, and seasonality
- Experience managing pastry production, including ordering, inventory, and ensuring consistency and quality
- Strong understanding of food and labor costs, budgeting, and inventory management
- Experience working in high-volume service environments
- Expertise in creating innovative desserts that complement a wide variety of dishes, including refined American cuisine and lounge-style fare
- A solid understanding of food safety and sanitation standards
- A passion for pastry with an eye for creativity, detail, and visual appeal
- Strong leadership abilities, with experience mentoring and developing pastry assistants
- Ability to stay organized and maintain efficiency in a fast-paced, team-oriented kitchen
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with the Executive Chef and kitchen team
- Expertise in traditional pastry techniques and modern dessert innovations
- Ability to work well under pressure while maintaining high standards of quality
- A dedication to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization in the kitchen
Benefits
- Employee discount on meals
