Executive Pastry Chef Fine Dining & Artisan Pastry

Executive Pastry Chef Fine Dining Background | Daytime Schedule

Location: Chicago, IL Bucktown

Salary: $70,000$75,000 Base + Sales Commission

Schedule: Five Days per Week | Two Days Off | Primarily Daytime Hours

Are you a creative pastry professional with a passion for fine-dining craftsmanship, innovative flavors, and exceptional presentation?

We are seeking a talented Executive Pastry Chef to lead the artisan pastry program for an established, chef-driven caf in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a pastry artist who wants genuine creative freedom, ownership of a pastry program, and a schedule that offers a better work-life balance than traditional fine-dining restaurants.

This is not a high-volume production bakery position. We are looking for someone who approaches pastry as an art form and takes pride in creativity, technique, precision, and quality.

What We Offer

• $70,000$75,000 annual base salary.
• Additional commission based on gross sales.
• Strong total earning potential.
• Five-day workweek with two days off.
• Primarily daytime hours, typically finishing around 1:002:00 PM.
• Significant creative freedom and ownership of the pastry program.
• Opportunity to develop original recipes, seasonal pastries, and signature creations.
• An established, highly capable Pastry Sous Chef providing excellent support.
• Collaborative, chef-driven culinary environment.
• Opportunity to work directly with ownership.
• Optional, separately compensated catering projects for additional income.
• Consistent work location in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood.

What You'll Do

• Lead the creative direction and daily execution of the pastry program.
• Develop original pastries, innovative flavor combinations, and seasonal offerings.
• Produce exceptional handcrafted pastries with refined technique and presentation.
• Maintain the highest standards of quality, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Collaborate with and mentor an experienced pastry team.
• Oversee pastry preparation, recipe development, ingredient selection, and quality control.
• Manage ordering, inventory, food costs, and daily pastry operations.
• Work closely with ownership to continually elevate the caf's pastry offerings.

What We're Looking For

• Strong professional pastry experience in upscale or fine-dining restaurants.
• Exceptional creativity, artistic presentation, and technical pastry skills.
• Experience developing original pastry recipes and distinctive desserts.
• Strong understanding of classical and contemporary pastry techniques.
• Experience with artisan pastries, French pastry, laminated doughs, and viennoiserie.
• Ability to independently lead a pastry program and manage daily responsibilities.
• Hands-on leadership style with excellent attention to detail.
• Passion for craftsmanship, originality, and exceptional quality.
• Ability to work onsite in Bucktown, Chicago.

Previous Executive Pastry Chef experience is preferred, but talented Pastry Sous Chefs with exceptional fine-dining backgrounds and demonstrated leadership potential are encouraged to apply.

Candidates from Michelin-recognized restaurants or similarly acclaimed fine-dining establishments are especially encouraged to apply.

Why This Role Is Different

Imagine having the creative freedom to design and execute your own pastry creations, the support of an experienced pastry professional, and the opportunity to work in a quality-driven culinary environment without the late-night hours typical of fine dining.

This position offers the chance to combine your artistic passion with meaningful leadership responsibility and an attractive daytime schedule.

If you're a passionate pastry artist ready to take ownership of an exceptional pastry program, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today for confidential consideration.