Lead Pastry Cook

2 years

NOW HIRING: Join Our Outstanding Bakery Team!

We are seeking a Experienced Pastry Lead to play a key role in our kitchen. This position will be responsible for laminated doughs (like our puff pastry and medialunas), crafting delicious morning pastries, and working closely with our management to keep the bakery running smoothly.

We are looking for candidates that bring knowledge of a wide range of pastry techniques, including: laminated doughs, cakes, pastry cream, choux pastry, macarons, and jams.

If you have a passion for working with pastries, take pride in your craftsmanship, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

We provide full-time, stable employment in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Enjoy benefits that include pooled tips, generous annual paid time off, 40 hours of sick leave, and optional health benefits. We are committed to fostering respect, curiosity, communication, and teamwork. We cant wait to welcome a talented new member to our fantastic crew. Join us to experience the joy of teamwork while expanding your culinary expertise!

We're looking for someone with:

- Availability to work full time (weekends, holidays)

- Experience working in commercial bakery (2 year minimum)

- Strong knowledge of viennoiserie, laminated doughs, creams, meringue, etc.

- Understanding of proofing environments, baking temperatures, and ingredient functionality.

- Eye for detail in portioning, shaping, and finishing pastries to a high visual and flavor standard.

- Ability to follow recipes and production guidelines accurately and efficiently.

- A warm, friendly, and engaging professional attitude

- Strong interpersonal skills and a cooperative spirit, with the ability to support and uplift team members.

- Clear and professional communication skills with customers, teammates, and supervisors.

- Ability to stay composed and flexible in dynamic, high-volume production environments.

- Consistently represents the brand with integrity, enthusiasm, and a guest-first mindset.

- Practice and demonstrate knowledge of food safety

Tasks include developing and shaping laminated doughs, making cakes, choux pastry, pastry cream, macarons, making holiday specials, baking and packing cookies, cleaning stations, scaling and mixing leavens, helping close the kitchen, and more.

Schedule : Sundays - Thursdays, one early shift (4am-12:30pm), other days 8:30am-5pm

Compensation : ~$27 (WAGE: $19-21/hr DOE + POOLED TIPS which average an additional $7 more per hour)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

1. Standing, walking, talking, listening for long periods of time.

2. Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling items up to 50 lbs.

3. Frequent hand washing and the use of cleaning solutions.

4. Repetitive movement of arms, fingers, hands, and wrists.

5. Reaching high storage shelving with a stepladder.

6. Squatting, kneeling, bending to reach for objects in the lower cabinet or shelving.

7. The noise level and temperature fluctuate with equipment use and outside weather.

8. Exposure to hot ovens, cold storage, sharp tools, and food allergens.

9. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, to cut, handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls.

10. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

11. The employee will spend up to 10 hours standing; walking; bending; stooping and reaching with hands and arms.

12. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.

13. Walk-in refrigerated area is extremely cold.

14. Working around kitchen equipment and tools.

15. Work in close proximity to others in a collaborative and team-oriented space.

BENEFITS

1. All employees get paid time off (i.e. personal days)

2. 5 days sick pay/year

3. Free daily bakery items + team snacks

4. Discounts on all products/retail

5. We offer full time employees health, vision and dental benefits!

TO APPLY: please introduce yourself and why youre a fit/interested in this position, along with your resume and references.

ABOUT US : Gusto Bread is a 2 x James Beard Award Finalist for "Outstanding Bakery" (2024, 2025)

We've been named as one of the 22 Best Bakeries in America by New York Times (DEC 2024) and Best New Bakery by EaterLA. Gusto Bread has also been covered by Tejal Rao of The New York Times and in articles by The Los Angeles Times, LA Taco and more.

Compensation: Hourly ($19.00 - $21.00) plus tips

Estimated Weekly Tips: $280

Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off

Viennoiserie Making

Dough Lamination

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Creativity in Pastry Design

Team Collaboration

Customer Service Orientation

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Adaptability to Changing Environments

Problem Solving Skills

Physical Stamina

Ability to Multitask

Respect for Food Safety Standards

Positive Attitude

Willingness to Learn

Ability to Take Constructive Feedback

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