Pastry Cook / Baker (Hotel Job)

Kirkwood Community College's Hotel at Kirkwood Center, located in Cedar Rapids, IA, operates within a distinguished hospitality education and service environment designed to cultivate the finest hospitality professionals. The establishment functions as an educational hub and operational hotel facility, intricately linked to Kirkwood's Center for Hospitality Excellence. This premier center aims to lead the world in the education and preparation of top-tier hospitality experts who will make a significant impact on the global community. As part of their mission, the center emphasizes creating the best place for learning, recruiting, and staying, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive hospitality experience for students and guests alike. This role supports that mission by blending practical hospitality services with educational leadership, contributing profoundly to the advancement of industry standards and student training.

The position available is a full-time hourly role within the Operations Division at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, offering a competitive hourly wage of $15.83. The role focuses primarily on food preparation, specifically baking and related culinary tasks, playing a critical part in delivering exceptional food experiences for hotel guests and educational groups. The individual filling this position serves as a trainer, responsible not only for preparing baked goods and other food items but also for supervising and guiding students across various hospitality areas. This educational leadership includes overseeing student learning at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, the Kirkwood Center for Hospitality Arts, and the Kirkwood Center for Continuing Education.

This dual focus on food production and training demands expertise in commercial baking, ability to ensure food safety and sanitation, and a commitment to excellence both in culinary execution and educational mentorship. Candidates will actively engage in inspecting food preparation and service areas for compliance with safety standards, preparing bakery orders for diverse events, and substituting or assisting cooks as needed during peak times. The position requires regular attendance and a proactive approach to fulfilling duties that promote both operational efficiency and high-quality hospitality training.

In addition to competitive pay, full-time employees enjoy a range of uncommon benefits within the hospitality industry. These include 18 days of paid time off annually, affordable health insurance, tuition benefits, hotel stay discounts, and a generous retirement plan. The role also supports a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, encouraging collaboration, continual improvement, and leadership at all levels. Physical demands of the job include standing for extended periods, frequent lifting, and active movement in a kitchen setting. The position fosters an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, reflecting Kirkwood Community College's commitment to non-discrimination and social responsibility.

Overall, this full-time baking and trainer role combines hands-on culinary responsibilities with educational mentorship, offering an enriching opportunity for individuals passionate about hospitality and committed to fostering the next generation of industry professionals. It provides a competitive wage, comprehensive benefits, a supportive work culture, and a chance to be part of a nationally recognized hospitality education program.