Pastry Chef

Job Description

Job Description

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

The Pastry Chef is a key member of our galley team — and this is a hands-on role with real creative license, not one where you're baking the same dessert menu night after night. From freshly baked breads and pastries to plated desserts, teatime treats, and special occasion items, Pastry Chefs are encouraged to put their own spin on things and shape the guest dining experience directly. You'll also support dietary needs like gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-sensitive items, all while delivering consistent quality and presentation.

Working closely with the Head Chef, you'll manage daily production, help with inventory and ordering, and uphold sanitation and food safety standards at all times. While baking and pastry is the focus, you'll also pitch in on broader galley operations — cleaning, provisioning, and occasional support with crew meals or dishwashing.

This role is ideal for someone with strong baking and pastry skills, excellent time management, and a passion for working in a dynamic, team-driven environment. Pastry Chefs work approximately 12 hours per day on a rotational schedule of 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off.

Candidates must be genuinely prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment before applying.

WORK SCHEDULE

Pastry Chefs work an average of 12 hours per day, every day, with no days off, throughout an 8-week rotation onboard — followed by approximately 4 weeks off.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Crew quarters are compact and shared — you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. The vessel operates in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.

This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a physically demanding role performed in a moving marine environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly throughout a 12-hour shift — including during periods of significant vessel motion. The employee must regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across cabin cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and food service, often without extended breaks. Work is performed in confined spaces and high-humidity environments including the galley.

• Participates in the actual baking of guest breakfast, lunch, and dinner breads (both sweet and savory), as well as any spreads, jams, or butter accompanying breads, as well as any baked goods for meal periods.
• Prepares and plates guest dinner and lunch desserts, including mise en place, sauce, and garnish.
• Prepares mid-morning and high tea pastries and baked goods, and any out-of-the-blue and "welcome" baked goods.
• Prepares and produces baked goods and desserts per required dietary restrictions (GF, vegan, kosher, lactose-free).
• May assist in production of crew meals.
• Works with the Head Chef on inventory and baking/pastry orders

• Responsible for all baking and pastry area food service sanitary compliance. Including, but not limited to, all equipment and countertop equipment, deck, bulkheads and overheads.
• Respects and follows proper FIFO for all baking and pastry pantry.
• Helps maintain organization in the walk-in cooler and freezer, and respects the designated areas of storage within the walk-ins 
• Helps maintain the cleanliness of the galley area and food storage rooms. 
• Adheres to all CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Health Canada requirements. 
• Assists in dishwashing as needed and/or assigned. 

• Assists in loading, handling and proper storage of food and related items to maintain inventory at appropriate stocking levels and to ensure proper rotation of perishable and non-perishable food items.

• Participates in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies. 
• Adheres to Company’s policy on uniform, to promote company’s image, safety, and standards. 
• Participates in shore side training as required by the company. 
• Familiar with the ISM codes and requirements. 
• Maintains familiarity with all duties under the company Safety Management System and Emergency Station Billet duties. 

• Completion of formal training at a culinary or Baking and pastry school preferred. 
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the culinary industry on board passenger ships preferred. 
• Good time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to get along with co-workers and support a team environment. 
• May be responsible for training and guiding others and/or reviewing their work.

• US Passport, or US Permanent Resident Card with valid passport.
• STCW Basic Safety Training required. 
• STCW Crowd Management required, training provided
• USCG Medical Certificate required, training provided
• STCW Maritime Security Awareness required, training provided
• Current First Aid/CPR certification required. 
• TWIC required.

Target base salary for this role based on experience and vessel and reflects the total daily compensation: Breakdown of the total compensation range: $175- $189 base daily rate + $50 guaranteed tip 

Employment is contingent on the following:

- In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.

- Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.

- Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty. 

Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.

Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.

Communication Skills 

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos.   Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.  The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.

COMPENSATION STATEMENT

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.

Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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.