Pastry Cook - Culinary Barn, District Heights MD

Washington, DC, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Hourly

Compensation

Hourly

Range $19.00 - $25.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

competitive pay

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

discounted shift meal

paid pregnancy leave

Parental leave

short-term disability

accident insurance

Massage therapy

discounted gym membership

discounted yoga membership

Mental health therapy

Training opportunities

Career growth opportunities

Employee assistance program

Job Description

Farmers Restaurant Group is a renowned farm-to-table restaurant company known for its commitment to great food and drink, thoughtful sourcing, and sustainability practices that protect the environment. Our restaurants are among the most booked nationwide on OpenTable and have been voted one of the Best Places to Work in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. We pride ourselves on creating a lively, fast-paced work environment that promotes continuous learning, professional growth, and employee well-being. As a farmer-owned company, our mission extends beyond delicious cuisine to preserving the lands and waterways for future generations, enriching the community and building an inclusive workplace culture.

We are currently seeking a full-time, experienced Pastry Cook to join our Culinary Barn team located in District Heights, Maryland. This role is essential to our culinary operations and focuses on supporting all pastry production, including custom creations for our Catering Team. As a Pastry Cook, you will be part of a collaborative culinary team dedicated to scratch cooking, quality, and food safety at every step. You should bring creativity, precision, and passion for pastry arts to your work, contributing to our diverse menu of handcrafted desserts and baked goods.

The position offers an hourly wage ranging from $19 to $25, reflecting the candidate's experience and skill level. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional pastry artist eager to advance their career in a respected restaurant group that values innovation and craftsmanship in cuisine. The role requires expertise in producing a full range of pastries from scratch, executing seasonal recipes, and creating large-format pastry displays for catering events with an emphasis on presentation quality and consistency.

In this position, you will be responsible for meticulous pastry preparation, high-level cake decoration, and maintaining stringent food safety standards. You will work in a fast-paced kitchen environment that demands physical endurance and precision. Candidates with a portfolio or social media account showcasing their pastry creations are strongly encouraged to apply. This ensures we can appreciate your artistic style and skills upfront.

Farmers Restaurant Group supports its employees beyond the kitchen with comprehensive benefits packages that include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and opportunities for training and career advancement. Our employee wellness programs also offer mental health support, massage therapy, and discounted gym memberships, reinforcing our commitment to the holistic health of every team member. Join us and contribute to a team where your talents in pastry arts will flourish in a supportive and innovative culinary setting.

Job Requirements

Minimum 3 years of professional pastry experience in a restaurant, bakery, or catering environment
culinary or pastry arts training preferred
demonstrated expertise in pastry production
ability to work independently
high standards for quality and consistency
ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment
high level of professionalism
able to communicate effectively in the primary workplace language
physical ability to stand for extended periods
capable of lifting weights up to 50 pounds
able to perform repetitive movements involving hands and arms
willing to work in environments with potential allergen exposure
portfolio or social media account showcasing pastry work recommended

Job Qualifications

Minimum 3 years of professional pastry experience in a restaurant, bakery, or catering environment
culinary or pastry arts training a plus
demonstrated expertise in pastry production
experience executing pastry for catering events, with a strong eye for large-format presentation and plating
ability to work independently and manage your own production tasks efficiently within a collaborative culinary team
high standards for quality, consistency, and presentation
comfortable working with a team in a fast-paced, loud kitchen environment
high level of professionalism
able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace
able to read and follow a recipe to standards
ability to work on your feet for eight hours or more a day in a confined area with fluctuating temperatures
capable of lifting up to 50 pounds, as needed
continuous bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, and use of hands and arms
may be exposed to allergens, such as nuts, seeds, soy, shellfish, and dairy
portfolio or social media account showcasing your pastry work is strongly encouraged

Job Duties

Support the full pastry program at the Culinary Barn, contributing to all baked goods and desserts as a skilled and dependable member of the culinary team
produce a full range of pastries scratch
plan, execute, and present large-format pastry and dessert spreads for catering events, ensuring professional, visually compelling presentations at scale
execute seasonal pastry recipes and preparations
execute high-level cake decoration with a strong eye for detail
maintain consistency and quality across all pastry output, tasting and evaluating products against established standards
assist with pastry inventory, stock rotation, and waste reduction with an eye toward cost-consciousness and ingredient freshness
uphold all food safety and sanitation standards, maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant pastry workspace