Pastry Line Cook

Herons is the five-star, five-diamond restaurant located within The Umstead Hotel & Spa, a luxury boutique hotel renowned for its exceptional hospitality and culinary excellence. The Umstead Hotel & Spa is committed to providing guests with an unparalleled experience encompassing world-class accommodations, exquisite dining options, and rejuvenating spa services in a serene, picturesque setting. Herons represents the pinnacle of fine dining at the hotel, offering guests a sophisticated menu that honors both traditional and contemporary culinary techniques with a strong focus on quality and presentation.

The Pastry Line Cook role at Herons is a specialized culinary position requiring precision, creativity, and dedication to the highest standards of pastry preparation. This role involves plating desserts with artistic flair while ensuring every item meets the established quality expectations set forth by the Pastry Chef. The Pastry Line Cook is integral to maintaining the organized and sanitary environment of the pastry kitchen, contributing both to the production of classic pastry elements and the innovation of new dessert creations.

As part of the culinary team, the Pastry Line Cook works under the direct supervision of the Pastry Chef and Pastry Sous Chef, upholding the kitchen's core values that emphasize quality, cleanliness, and equitable treatment of all team members. This position demands a detail-oriented approach to tasks such as setting up the pastry line, performing quality checks, preparing ice creams and sorbets with precision, as well as engaging in complex knife work.

The role includes production responsibilities such as creating mousses, cakes, sauces, and glazes that align closely with recipe standards to maintain uniformity and consistency. The Pastry Line Cook also handles the proofing and baking of various bread products, including pretzels, baguettes, and multigrain breads. Inventory management across multiple storage units like walk-in coolers and freezers is essential to ensure availability and reduce waste.

Collaboration is key in this position; the Pastry Line Cook maintains open communication with various hotel departments such as the front of house, banquet team, and front office, ensuring a cohesive operation that supports overall guest satisfaction. The role requires a calm and organized demeanor, especially during busy periods or conflicts, and a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and passion for excellence. Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and peak hotel activity periods is a necessary aspect of this job.

Physical requirements entail standing for extended periods, frequent bending and squatting, and lifting weights up to 50 pounds regularly throughout the shift. The ability to read and follow recipes accurately is mandatory for success in this role.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision coverage, life and disability insurance, paid time off, 401(k) with matching contributions, employee assistance, discounts, and referral programs. The work schedule accommodates day and night shifts, with overtime and weekend availability required, supporting a dynamic and rewarding culinary career within a prestigious hospitality environment.