Pastry Cook

Pastry Cook

The Mavericks Performance & Training Center serves as the primary training, practice, performance, and hospitality facility for the Dallas Mavericks NBA organization. Designed to support elite athletic performance and world-class hospitality operations, the facility combines premium amenities, elevated food-and-beverage experiences, and a culture centered on professionalism, teamwork, discipline, and excellence.

The hospitality operation supports players, coaches, executives, corporate partners, VIP guests, and special events throughout the year. Operating in a dynamic, high-performance environment, the Mavericks Performance & Training Center seeks culinary professionals who are passionate about craftsmanship, creativity, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.

This is a unique opportunity to join one of the most respected organizations in professional basketball and contribute to a culinary operation that upholds the same standards of preparation, consistency, and excellence that define the Dallas Mavericks.

Core Responsibilities: Pastry Production & Execution

• Prepare and execute pastries, desserts, breads, breakfast pastries, cookies, cakes, specialty baked goods, and plated desserts according to established recipes and production standards.
• Follow recipes precisely to ensure consistency in flavor, appearance, texture, and presentation.
• Assist with the production of seasonal desserts, specialty offerings, and event-specific menu items.
• Prepare fillings, creams, mousses, sauces, doughs, batters, icings, and other pastry components.
• Execute plated desserts and dessert presentations for VIP events, executive dining, and special functions.
• Support large-scale pastry production while maintaining exceptional quality standards.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain organized, clean, and fully stocked pastry stations and production areas.
• Complete daily prep lists and production schedules efficiently and accurately.
• Monitor ingredient inventory levels and communicate ordering needs to pastry leadership.
• Properly label, date, rotate, and store all products in accordance with company standards.
• Ensure equipment and work areas remain clean, organized, and operationally ready.
• Support pastry production for special events, catering functions, and hospitality activations.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

• Maintain strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and temperature control of all products.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of pastry workstations, equipment, and production areas.
• Follow all company food safety procedures and operational standards.
• Monitor product quality and consistency throughout production.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Work collaboratively with pastry leadership and culinary team members.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and a positive attitude.
• Support fellow team members during production and service periods.
• Accept coaching and feedback while remaining committed to growth and development.
• Contribute to a culture of teamwork, accountability, and excellence.
• Maintain professional appearance and grooming standards.

Hospitality Support

• Support hospitality operations serving players, coaches, executives, corporate partners, and VIP guests.
• Assist with pastry displays, dessert presentations, and special event execution.
• Understand the role pastry and dessert offerings play in enhancing the overall hospitality experience.
• Take pride in producing products that reflect the Dallas Mavericks organization's standards and reputation.

Qualifications & Experience Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of pastry, bakery, or dessert production experience in a high-volume restaurant, hotel, bakery, catering, private club, or hospitality environment.
• Strong understanding of pastry fundamentals, baking techniques, and dessert production.
• Ability to consistently follow recipes and production standards.
• Experience working with breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, and plated desserts.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality standards.
• Food Handler Certification required or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary or Pastry Arts degree, certificate, or formal training.
• Experience in luxury hospitality, hotels, private clubs, catering, or premium dining operations.
• Experience with chocolate work, sugar work, specialty cakes, and advanced pastry techniques.
• Experience supporting large-scale hospitality events and catering functions.
• Knowledge of modern pastry trends and contemporary dessert presentation.

Core Competencies

• Pastry Fundamentals
• Attention to Detail
• Creativity & Craftsmanship
• Time Management
• Organization
• Accountability
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Food Safety Awareness
• Professionalism
• Quality Focus
• Sense of Urgency

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Fast-paced culinary and professional sports environment.
• Extended periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent exposure to ovens, mixers, refrigeration equipment, and production environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motions.
• Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as business demands require.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential job functions.

Why Join Mavericks Performance & Training Center

The Pastry Cook role offers an opportunity to develop and showcase pastry skills within one of the most unique culinary operations in professional sports. This position provides exposure to premium hospitality operations, executive dining, player dining, VIP experiences, catering, and special event production while working alongside experienced culinary professionals.

The successful candidate will join a culture committed to excellence, creativity, teamwork, and continuous improvement while building valuable pastry and hospitality experience within the Dallas Mavericks organization.

We run background checks on all new hires in this position.