Pastry Cook & Baker

Catering•Morton Grove, IL

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Join Our Pastry Team At Catering by Michaels, we believe an event is more than food on a plate. Every dessert, pastry, and finishing touch contributes to an experience that guests remember long after the event is over. Founded in 1980, Catering by Michaels is a full-service catering and events company based in Morton Grove, Illinois. We produce events throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, ranging from weddings and galas to corporate events, festivals, and private celebrations. We are looking for a Pastry Decorator and Baker who takes pride in craftsmanship, values consistency, and enjoys working in a fast-paced production environment where quality matters. About Catering by Michaels For more than four decades, we have built our reputation as one of Chicago's leading catering and events companies through creativity, execution, and exceptional service. Scratch kitchen with all desserts produced in-house Sustainability leader, certified by both Green Restaurant and Green Seal Experience executing major events including Lollapalooza, the NFL Draft, LIV Golf, and the Black Creativity Gala Preferred caterer at many of Chicago's most iconic venues Full-service catering and event production throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs Our pastry department is responsible for creating desserts that are as memorable as the events themselves. This position reports to work at our commissary kitchen in Morton Grove. Why This Role Matters Presentation matters. Attention to detail matters. Consistency matters. As a Pastry Decorator and Baker, you are responsible for helping create desserts and pastries that reflect the standards and reputation of Catering by Michaels. From decorating cookies and cakes to executing recipes with precision, your work directly contributes to the client and guest experience.

Requirements

1 to 3 years of professional baking or pastry experience
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Ability to multitask and adapt to changing production priorities
Reliable attendance and dependability
Open availability including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Ability to lift, carry, and move food products, equipment, and supplies weighing 50 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds occasionally
Ability to stand and remain mobile for extended periods, often up to 6 hours at a time
Ability to bend, kneel, stoop, reach, and squat frequently throughout a shift
Ability to effectively communicate with supervisors and fellow team members
Ability to taste and smell food products for quality control purposes
Comfortable working in environments that include refrigerated storage areas, hot kitchens, food production equipment, noise, and varying temperatures

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English and Spanish skills are preferred. If you speak Spanish, you will be working alongside team members who do as well

Responsibilities

Decorate cookies, pastries, and other desserts with precision and creativity
Work with chocolate and specialty pastry techniques to enhance presentation and quality
Prepare pastry items according to established recipes and production standards
Operate mixers, ovens, scales, and other pastry and baking equipment safely and efficiently
Follow recipes accurately while demonstrating the ability to solve problems and adapt as needed
Participate in department meetings, training sessions, and ongoing professional development opportunities
Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, sanitation, safety, and organization throughout all pastry production areas
Ensure kitchen equipment, refrigeration, storage areas, and small wares meet company sanitation standards
Support event production, holiday schedules, and special projects as needed
Complete all responsibilities in accordance with Catering by Michaels safety and food handling procedures