PASTRY COOK - R&D (FULL TIME)

NYC, NY, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $24.00 - $29.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

internal employee referral bonus

Job Description

Union Square Events is a prestigious hospitality company based in New York City, renowned for its commitment to culinary excellence, operational expertise, and exceptional hospitality. Founded in 2005, Union Square Events has expanded its reach, serving a diverse portfolio of cultural, corporate, entertainment, and private venues. The company prides itself on delivering memorable experiences that go beyond outstanding food to making every guest feel genuinely welcomed and valued. In collaboration with CxRA, the catering arm of Restaurant Associates established in 1996, the brands have operated from a shared kitchen and commissary since 2026, further enhancing opportunities for innovation and culinary creativity. Together, these organizations represent the forefront of the hospitality industry in New York City and beyond, emphasizing professionalism, quality, and dedication to guest experiences.

The current opportunity is for a Pastry Cook - Research and Development role based at their Brooklyn facility located at 147 41st Street, 4th Floor. This full-time position operates on a Tuesday through Saturday schedule with variable hours that may adjust based on business needs. The hourly pay ranges from $24.00 to $29.00, reflecting both the expertise required and the dynamic nature of the work environment. The role demands a highly skilled pastry professional with a minimum of five years’ experience in fast-paced pastry and commissary production environments, coupled with a solid background in research and development.

As a Pastry Cook focused on R&D, the successful candidate will lead efforts to develop, refine, and perfect pastry recipes and production techniques that meet strict quality and consistency standards. This involves hands-on food preparation, ensuring every item produced is delicious, visually appealing, and aligned with established menu standards. Attention to detail and organizational skills are critical, along with the agility to adapt recipes and processes to evolving customer preferences and operational requirements. Beyond production, the role includes assisting with production planning, inventory management, and quality control documentation. The position also requires adherence to rigorous federal, state, and company food safety and sanitation standards including HACCP protocols.

Working within a respected and collaborative team environment, the Pastry Cook will interact closely with culinary staff, management, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery and culinary innovation. The company offers an internal employee referral bonus as part of its commitment to recognizing and rewarding team contributions. Union Square Events and its sister company CxRA both uphold a drug-free workplace and foster an inclusive hiring approach, welcoming qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds. Overall, this is an ideal position for an accomplished pastry professional eager to contribute to a leading hospitality group that values creativity, quality, and memorable culinary experiences.

Job Requirements

minimum of 5 years of experience in a fast-paced pastry and commissary production environment
previous research and development experience required
ability to work efficiently in a high-volume production setting
excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
flexibility to adapt to changing business needs

Job Qualifications

minimum of 5 years of experience in a fast-paced pastry and commissary production environment
previous research and development experience
strong knowledge of pastry production techniques recipe development and product consistency
ability to work efficiently in a high-volume production setting
excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
flexibility to adapt to changing business needs

Job Duties

prepares high-quality food items according to standardized recipes and instructions to meet production delivery and service schedules
serves meals or prepares for delivery by using correct portioning meeting outlined standards ensuring that food is at the correct temperature and is attractive and tasty
tastes all prepared food items
uses established ticket collection procedures during service
responsible for records from area worked during service periods
cleans kitchen after preparation and serving maintaining high standards of cleanliness
stores or discards excess food in accordance with safe food-handling procedures
keeps refrigerators and storerooms clean and neat
ensures food and supply items are stored per standards
operates and maintains kitchen equipment as instructed
assists in production planning record keeping and reporting as required
assists in the ordering and receiving of all food and supplies as required
reports needed maintenance faulty equipment or accidents to the supervisor immediately
attends in-service and safety meetings
maintains good working relationships with coworkers customers administrators and managers
performs job safely while maintaining a clean safe work environment
performs other duties as assigned
ensures proper presentation portion control and maintenance of serving temperatures follows HACCP standards
personal commitment to your own safety and that of others
abides by all company policies and procedures including but not limited to using medium weight cut gloves when handling or using knives peelers choppers mandolins or cleaning a slicer using oven mitts fryer gloves or steamer gloves when handling hot pans from ovens warmers or steamtables and using slip-resistant shoes and proper lifting techniques