Pastry Chef and Baker

Pastry Chef and Baker Amara Restaurants Belmont, CA Job Details Full-time $23 - $27 an hour 23 hours ago Benefits Store discount Flexible schedule Qualifications Bakery Hospitality Recipe adherence Pre-cooking preparation Maintaining an organized workspace Guest relations Packing Kitchen knives Food allergen awareness Attention to detail Plating Dough preparation Clean workspace maintenance Addressing dietary restrictions in food service Full Job Description Pastry Chef — Amara, BelmontPosition Summary Amara is looking for a Pastry Chef to lead and execute a focused, seasonal dessert and bread program for a California restaurant with Mediterranean influence. This is not a volume bakery job and not a decorative cake position. We need someone who understands flavor, restraint, texture, seasonality, and hospitality . The right person should be able to create desserts that feel elegant, soulful, and connected to Amara's food — not generic restaurant desserts dropped onto the menu. The Pastry Chef will be responsible for daily production, menu development, quality control, costing, prep organization, and execution of desserts, breads, brunch pastries, and special-event items. Key ResponsibilitiesDessert Program Develop and execute a tight, seasonal dessert menu that fits Amara's identity: California produce Mediterranean flavors Clean plating Balanced sweetness Use of nuts, citrus, stone fruit, olive oil, yogurt, honey, spices, herbs, chocolate, sesame, tahini, dates, figs, berries, and seasonal fruit Desserts that are memorable but not overly complicated Examples of the style we are looking for: Olive oil cake with citrus and crème fraîche Pistachio, cardamom, or rose-influenced desserts Stone fruit galette or pavlova-style dessert Labneh panna cotta Chocolate dessert with tahini, sesame, or coffee Seasonal sorbets, semifreddo, custards, tarts, or composed plated desserts Bread & Savory Pastry Support Support Amara's bread identity, including: Fresh pita or flatbread program Brunch breads or pastries Dinner rolls or seasonal bread service Crackers, lavash, or accompaniments for dips, cheese, caviar, or charcuterie Savory brunch items when needed Production & Execution Prepare daily pastry mise en place Maintain consistency in recipes, portioning, plating, and quality Manage prep lists and par levels Work cleanly and efficiently Maintain proper storage, labeling, FIFO, and sanitation standards Ensure all desserts are service-ready before each shift Communicate clearly with the chef and service team about menu changes, allergens, and availability Menu Development & Cost Control Create recipes with proper yields and portion sizes Cost out menu items accurately Minimize waste Use seasonal ingredients intelligently Build desserts that are both beautiful and profitable Help create specials for holidays, private events, brunch, and tasting menus Team & Culture Work collaboratively with the chef, sous chefs, and front-of-house team Train cooks or prep team members on pastry items when needed Maintain high standards without drama Take feedback professionally Bring creativity, but also discipline and consistency QualificationsRequired Minimum 2-4 years pastry experience in a restaurant, hotel, bakery, or fine-casual/fine-dining environment Strong understanding of baking fundamentals Ability to execute plated desserts during service Ability to follow and create recipes Strong knife skills and prep discipline Understanding of allergens, gluten, dairy, nuts, and dietary restrictions Ability to work independently Clean, organized, and reliable Able to lift 40 lbs and stand for extended periods Preferred Experience with Mediterranean, California, or seasonal cuisine Experience with laminated dough, tarts, custards, cakes, ice creams, sorbets, breads, or flatbreads Experience costing recipes Experience working in a restaurant kitchen rather than only a retail bakery Ability to help with brunch pastry and private events Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is creative but practical. They understand that Amara does not need twelve desserts. We need four or five excellent ones that guests remember, servers can sell, and the kitchen can execute consistently. They should care about ingredients, but also understand food cost. They should be able to make something beautiful without turning every dessert into a labor trap. They should know when to add complexity and when to pull back. We are looking for someone who can help build a dessert program that feels like

Amara:

warm, seasonal, ingredient-driven, generous, polished, and a little unexpected. Schedule Full-time or strong part-time depending on experience and availability Weekends required Morning/daytime prep shifts with some evening service support as needed Holiday and private-event availability required Compensation Competitive hourly or salary compensation based on experience. Final pay will depend on skill level, schedule, leadership ability, and whether the role includes menu development, bread production, brunch support, and event execution.

How to Apply Please send:

Resume A brief note about your pastry style Photos of recent desserts or pastry work, if available Availability References from previous kitchens or pastry programs

Pay:

$23.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Store discount

Work Location:

In person