Pastry Cook: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire a pastry chef?

A great pastry chef hire can help your business increase the number of customers you can serve. A pastry chef can add a new revenue stream to your business and increase the overall size of the business.

• Increase the number of desserts you can make
• Provide excellent customer service to anyone unhappy with their dish
• Increase the overall sales of your business

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance pastry chef

Whether you need a full-time or freelance pastry chef should be determined based on the specific needs of your business.

For example, freelance pastry chefs often supply smaller bakeries and cafes with baked goods on an as-needed basis, while full-time pastry chefs are often employed by busy restaurants and markets where there’s a regular, constant need for freshly baked items. 

Freelance pastry chefs also assist with one-time events, such as weddings and other catered affairs, while full-time pastry chefs may be employed by hotels, cruise ships and casinos with wide, consistent customer bases. 

What are the levels of pastry chefs? 

There are three main levels of pastry chefs in the baking industry, starting with apprentices. As pastry chefs gain experience on the job, they have the opportunity to advance. Additionally, experienced pastry chefs can work as cake decorators, production supervisors and operations managers on freelance projects and in full-time positions. Here are the three common levels and titles of pastry chefs as they move up the ranks in the industry. 

• Apprentice pastry chef: During an apprenticeship program, pastry chefs are provided with on-the-job training and coursework. They shadow seasoned and executive pastry chefs to learn pastry arts and techniques such as portioning and mixing.
• Pastry chef: Pastry chefs work in restaurants and commercial bakeries, and many own their own businesses or work freelance jobs for one-time events such as weddings. They prepare sweets and pastries for restaurant menus, and they create original desserts from scratch.
• Executive pastry chef: Executive pastry chefs oversee baking departments in markets, restaurants and commercial bakeries. They test recipes and develop menus, and they handle matters such as inventory and kitchen supply orders. 

Where to find pastry chefs

To find the right pastry chef for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies. 

• Hire from within: If you own a restaurant or manage a busy grocery store with a bakery section, consider checking with your current employees to gauge their interests and skills. You may already have someone on-site who’s eager to utilize their baking talents and experience. 
• Check social media sites: Many freelance pastry chefs and bakers post photos of their creations and recipes online. You can easily contact potential candidates via direct messaging or by commenting on their posts.
• Post a flyer in your business: Posting a flyer or help wanted sign in your business window or at the cashier station is a great way to attract potential candidates who already have an interest in your establishment. 
• Post your job online: Try posting your pastry chef job on Indeed to find and attract quality pastry chef candidates. 

Skills to look for in a great Pastry Chef

A great pastry chef candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• Well versed in modern recipes
• Knowledgeable about common allergens
• Cleanliness
• Creative in the kitchen
• Ability to accept praise and criticism
• Positive attitude

Writing a pastry chef job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified pastry chef candidates. A pastry chef job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your pastry chef job description, consider some of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting . These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on pastry chef jobs, according to Indeed data. 

• Bakery
• Pastry chef
• Baker
• Pastry
• Pastry cook
• Chef
• Cook
• Baking
• Executive pastry chef
• Food service

Interviewing pastry chef candidates

Strong candidates for pastry chef positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Best dessert you can make
• Dessert training
• How many you can produce in one day

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of pastry chef interview questions for examples (with sample answers).