Pastry Sous Chef - Events & Culinary Operations

DO & CO • Des Plaines, IL

2d • $80,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Pastry Sous Chef – Events & Culinary Operations leads daily kitchen excellence in an assigned area, motivates and develops a high-performing culinary team, and contributes to creative, cost-conscious menu development. The role partners with DO & CO’s global events team to create curated desserts for major events, including Formula 1 and FIFA, in the U.S. and internationally. It is a hands-on position involving active participation in daily production, organization, coordination, and operational execution. Travel is required to support U.S. locations and major events in North America, Brazil, Mexico, and other international locations, with flexibility based on business needs and event schedules.

The Pastry Sous Chef ensures food quality, technique, portioning, presentation, cost control, production timelines, and client specifications meet DO & CO standards. The role supports the Executive Chef with proposals, menu concepts, food-cost control, reporting, and scheduling; maintains inventory and ingredient standards; and ensures compliance with food-safety, sanitation, equipment-care, and cleanliness requirements. It also trains and manages kitchen personnel and promotes professionalism, accountability, punctuality, communication, teamwork, and a growth mindset.

The position is offered at Los Angeles, Chicago, or Miami locations. The stated annual salary range is $80,000–$100,000, based on experience and location. Full-time employees are eligible for 401(k) and medical, dental, and vision benefits. The company also offers complimentary daily meals, career-development opportunities nationally and internationally, and the opportunity to attend world-class events. Schedules may include evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, and may require additional days or schedule adjustments to meet operational and event-support needs.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional cooking experience in a high-volume kitchen environment.
• Knowledge of current catering industry trends.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining attention to detail and consistent food quality.
• Familiarity with kitchen safety and sanitation protocols.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to work long hours on foot and in environments with varying temperatures.
• Flexibility to work different shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, based on business needs.
• Flexibility to travel according to business needs, event schedules, and operational priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Culinary degree or certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations in the assigned area, guiding and mentoring culinary teams to deliver exceptional food quality, technique, portioning, presentation, and cost control.
• Inspect ingredient freshness, participate in tastings, and standardize production recipes to ensure consistency across menus.
• Monitor inventory, prevent shortages, and communicate needs or discrepancies to the Executive Chef.
• Contribute ideas that improve cost efficiency, quality, presentation, and the guest experience.
• Ensure production timelines, quality benchmarks, and client specifications are met.
• Ensure menu items meet DO & CO standards and airline meal specifications and premium catering expectations.
• Support the Executive Chef with proposal development, menu concepts, food-cost control, operational reporting, and team scheduling.
• Optimize staffing coverage and travel arrangements for catered events to align culinary personnel with business and event needs.
• Enforce food-safety regulations, sanitation protocols, equipment-care requirements, and cleanliness standards.
• Train, motivate, and manage kitchen personnel and supervise culinary activities as assigned.
• Participate directly in daily production, organization, coordination, execution, and other operational tasks.
• Travel to support U.S. locations and major domestic and international events, including Formula 1 events in North America, Brazil, and Mexico.
• Promote professionalism, punctuality, accountability, clear communication, teamwork, and constructive feedback.
• Adjust schedules or work additional days when required by operational demands, unforeseen circumstances, or event support.
• Develop training programs to help team members adapt quickly and integrate into established units.

Benefits

• Daily complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Full-time employees are eligible for a 401(k) and medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Career-development opportunities nationally and internationally.
• Opportunity to collaborate with and represent a leading luxury global gourmet entertainment company at world-class events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed