Catering Chef- Pastry and Culinary Event Management

Catering Chef Pastry & Culinary Event Management

CRAVE Catering is seeking an experienced, organized, and creative Catering Chef with a focus on pastry and culinary event management to join our growing team. This role combines hands-on pastry and culinary production with leadership responsibility for the successful execution of weddings, corporate functions, social celebrations, venue events, and large-scale catered experiences. The ideal candidate has a strong pastry background, is comfortable supporting savory production, and can confidently manage culinary operations at events. This individual will oversee event preparation, culinary timelines, food presentation, kitchen and station setup, staff direction, service execution, and post-event breakdown while maintaining CRAVE's standards for quality, hospitality, and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary Event Management
• Pastry and Dessert Production
• Catering Culinary Production Support
• Quality, Organization, and Safety

Qualifications

• Culinary or pastry degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Three or more years of professional culinary, pastry, banquet, hotel, restaurant, or catering experience preferred.
• Previous experience leading culinary teams or managing food operations at catered events strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of baking methods, pastry production, dessert presentation, recipe scaling, and high-volume preparation.
• Ability to support both pastry and savory culinary production.
• Strong leadership, organization, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to remain composed and make sound decisions in fast-paced, high-pressure event environments.
• Understanding of dietary restrictions, food allergies, and cross-contact prevention.
• Ability to balance creativity with consistency, efficiency, food cost, and operational requirements.
• Dependable, flexible, team-oriented, and committed to delivering an exceptional guest experience.
• Food-safety certification or willingness to obtain the required certification.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation may be required for event responsibilities.

Schedule and Physical Requirements

• Availability for a flexible catering schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event needs.
• Ability to stand and work for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely work around ovens, mixers, hot equipment, refrigeration, and commercial kitchen tools.
• Ability to work in both permanent and temporary kitchen environments.
• Ability to travel between the production kitchen and event venues as required.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will elevate CRAVE's pastry offerings while providing confident culinary leadership at events. This individual will be highly organized, anticipate operational needs, communicate clearly, lead teams effectively, and ensure every culinary detail is executed with precision. Success in this role means events run smoothly, food is served safely and on time, dietary accommodations are handled carefully, desserts and menu items are beautifully presented, and clients and guests consistently receive the high-quality experience expected from CRAVE Catering.

Compensation: $55,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year

CRAVE Catering is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.