Catering Pastry Chef

3 years

Location : Brooklyn, NY
Employment Type : Full-Time, Salaried

Purslane Brooklyns first zero-waste, carbon-neutral caterer is seeking a talented, organized, and self-driven Pastry Chef to join our Culinary Department. This role is key to ensuring that our pastry program delivers the exceptional taste, quality, and presentation that our guests expect, while aligning with our sustainability mission.

• Lead production of all pastries, desserts, and baked goods for events, cafes, and special projects.
• Develop and execute menus in collaboration with the Executive Chef, with an emphasis on seasonal, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients.
• Ensure consistent quality, flavor, and presentation standards across all pastry offerings.
• Maintain accurate inventory, minimize waste, and coordinate with the purchasing team for ordering.
• Oversee pastry prep schedules and workflows to meet event deadlines without compromising quality.
• Train and mentor pastry assistants and other kitchen staff in pastry techniques and best practices.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Participate in menu tastings, R&D, and client presentations when required.
• Food preparation when necessary and possible event support.

• Proven track record of high-volume pastry production in a professional kitchen environment.
• Expert knowledge of classic and modern pastry techniques, including plated desserts, cakes, viennoiserie, and confections.
• Strong understanding of ingredient seasonality, food costing, and portion control.
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Consistent, detail-oriented approach to presentation and flavor no matter the scale of production.
• Collaborative spirit with a commitment to supporting the team and Purslanes sustainability standards.

• 35 years professional pastry experience, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Culinary and pastry degree (or equivalent on-the-job training).
• Experience in event or catering production preferred.
• Working knowledge of sustainable and zero-waste kitchen practices is a plus.

• Full-time schedule with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and early mornings based on event needs. Competitive salary based on experience, plus benefits.
• Work on-site at our commissary kitchen in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Compensation: Salary/Hourly ($20.00 - $30.00)

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

Leadership

Creativity in Menu Development

Attention to Detail

Time Management

Mentorship

Problem Solving

Adaptability in a Fast Paced Environment

Teamwork

Communication Skills

Knowledge of Sustainability Practices

Quality Control

Inventory Management

Event Planning

Customer Service Orientation

Passion for Pastry Arts

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