AM Shift Pastry Cook Table and Banter Hospitality Berkeley Heights, NJ Job Details Full-time $20.51 an hour 5 days ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Paid time off Opportunities for advancement Bereavement leave Qualifications Food production Teamwork Attention to detail Organizational skills Baking ingredient preparation Decorating baked goods Time management Communication with kitchen staff Full Job Description At Table & Banter, great hospitality starts well before the doors open. We are looking for an experienced AM Shift Pastry Cook to join our culinary team on a Monday through Friday, 4:00 AM-12:30 PM schedule. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys the pace and precision of early-morning production and takes real pride in creating pastries, baked goods, and café offerings that are consistent, beautifully executed, and ready to set the tone for the day. You'll be part of a team that values craftsmanship, organization, and attention to detail at every stage of production. From preparing morning favorites and seasonal items to supporting catering and banquet needs, your work will directly contribute to the quality and presentation our guests experience each day. If you bring strong pastry fundamentals, a dependable work ethic, and a genuine appreciation for the craft, we'd love to have you help us start every morning exceptionally. How You'll Make an Impact Prepare and bake a thoughtfully curated selection of pastries, desserts, breads, and baked goods with precision, consistency, and respect for established recipes and standards Execute daily production of morning and café offerings, including croissants, muffins, scones, cookies, brownies, cake batters, dessert bars, and seasonal selections, with a focus on quality and presentation Finish and decorate pastries using techniques such as piping, glazing, and icing to create polished, visually compelling products Support pastry production for catering, banquets, special events, and elevated guest experiences across the operation Assist with plating and garnishing desserts to ensure each item reflects the level of care and detail expected in a luxury hospitality environment Evaluate ingredients and finished products throughout production to maintain exceptional standards of freshness, consistency, flavor, and presentation Uphold disciplined food storage, labeling, rotation, and FIFO practices to support both food safety and operational excellence Maintain an immaculate, organized, and production-ready workstation throughout the shift Support inventory and pastry supply needs to help ensure seamless daily execution Collaborate closely with chefs and culinary partners to deliver a refined, efficient, and consistently high-quality kitchen operation What You'll Bring A minimum of 2 years of foundational professional pastry or baking experience in a professional kitchen environment Ability to work the Monday through Friday, 4:00 AM-12:30 PM shift consistently, with flexibility to support holidays, special events, catering, and evolving business needs when required Strong command of pastry fundamentals and baking techniques, including piping, glazing, icing, batter preparation, creaming, sugar stages, tart shells, and frozen desserts Formal culinary or pastry education is welcomed, but equivalent hands-on training and professional experience are equally valued. A refined eye for presentation and the ability to consistently produce polished, guest-ready products Confidence following established recipes and standards while maintaining consistency across daily production Strong organization and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple production priorities in a fast-paced kitchen A genuine appreciation for craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and thoughtful execution A collaborative, team-first approach and the professionalism to work effectively alongside chefs and culinary partners A positive attitude, reliability, and a strong sense of personal accountability Culinary or pastry school training is a plus, but not required Supporting Your Success Choice of Company-subsidized medical plan options Generous employer pension contribution Robust paid time off program and paid holidays Meal discounts and additional lifestyle and entertainment perks Career growth opportunities within a dynamic and evolving organization At Table & Banter, the standard is in the details. We are looking for a Pastry Cook who brings consistency, pride, and care to every shift and understands the role great pastry plays in creating a memorable guest experience. If that sounds like the kind of kitchen you want to be part of, we would be glad to meet you. While we leverage technology to support our recruiting process, every application is personally reviewed by a member of our Human Resources team because we recognize that behind every resume is a person, a career journey, and a genuine interest in joining our organization. Table & Banter Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and respected. We make all employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy or breastfeeding, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We believe exceptional hospitality begins with exceptional people and are committed to creating a workplace where every team member can thrive. We participate in the federal E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility for newly hired employees.

Pay:

$20.51 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Health insurance Paid time off Application Question(s): Tell us about a pastry or baked item you've made that you felt especially proud of. What made it stand out to you? How do you like to approach a busy morning production shift so you can stay organized and consistent? This role works Monday through Friday from 4:00 AM to 12:30 PM. What appeals to you about that schedule, and how does it fit with your routine? Please note that we conduct comprehensive pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process. Are you comfortable proceeding with this requirement? Ability to

Commute:

Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (Required)

Work Location:

In person