Position: Pastry Cook

About Safta:

Safta, meaning "Grandmother" in Hebrew, is our company-owned restaurant located in the vibrant RiNo neighborhood in Denver. Opened just six months after our flagship restaurant Saba, Safta reflects Chef Alon Shaya's heritage and offers a culinary journey that pays homage to the rich and diverse landscape of Israeli cuisine. Influenced by the flavors of the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa, Safta presents a collection of moments where food and culture intersect. Our menu showcases an ever-evolving cuisine, with wood-fired pita bread baked steps from the table, soaking up the flavors of Bulgaria, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Palestine, and Greece, to name a few.

At Safta, we are committed to sourcing the freshest seafood, meats, and produce from local farms around Denver, CO. These ingredients are transformed into family-style platters that are both comforting and innovative, served in a setting that reflects our deep respect for the cultural intersections that have shaped our menu.

Our Mission & Core Values:

At Safta, we believe in creating a space where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and fulfilled—both professionally and personally. Our mission is to foster an environment where love, mutual respect, and a commitment to equality are at the forefront of everything we do. We stand up for our values, ensuring that our restaurant is a place where all people, regardless of their background, can come together and feel at home.

Our core values guide everything we do and are the foundation of our commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for both our team and our guests. We believe in the power of education and strive to continuously learn and grow. Respect is at the heart of our interactions, ensuring that everyone we encounter feels valued and appreciated. We are committed to fairness in all our practices, treating everyone with equity and integrity. Empowerment is key to our success, as we encourage and support each other to reach our fullest potential. We pride ourselves on being reliable, consistently delivering on our promises and maintaining the highest standards. Passion drives us, fueling our dedication to the craft of hospitality and inspiring us to create memorable experiences. Communication is essential to our teamwork, fostering clear, honest, and open exchanges that keep our operations running smoothly. Finally, we maintain a positive attitude, approaching every challenge with optimism and a can-do spirit, creating an environment where happiness and fulfillment thrive.

Job Overview:

The Pastry Cook’s role will be to possess excellent cooking skills and maintain a well-organized station and mis en place. Preparation and execution of dishes and recipes to a high standard is required in conjunction with maintaining cleanliness and safety protocols The pastry cook is responsible for the production of all pastries, desserts, breads, and other sweet goods in the restaurant. Above all, the line cook must do all to contribute to a positive work environment as set forth by the culture and values of Pomegranate Hospitality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and cook menu items according to established recipes and standards, ensuring consistency and quality in every dish.
• Set up and stock stations with all necessary supplies, maintaining an organized and efficient work area.
• Ensure that food is prepared in a timely manner, coordinating with other kitchen staff to meet service demands.
• Monitor food quality and presentation, making adjustments as necessary to meet Safta’s high standards.
• Follow all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines, including proper handling and storage of ingredients.
• Assist with daily prep tasks, including chopping, measuring, and portioning ingredients as needed.
• Clean and maintain kitchen equipment, tools, and workstations, ensuring everything is in proper working order.
• Assist with opening and closing duties as required, including restocking supplies and cleaning the kitchen area.
• Communicate effectively with the kitchen and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth service.
• Perform all other duties, as assigned. .

Qualifications:

• High school diploma encouraged
• Good basic knife-skills
• Basic knowledge of cooking terms and techniques
• 1-5 years kitchen experience preferred
• Ability to speak Spanish a plus 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. 
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and recipes.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or fellow employees.
• Possess good knowledge of techniques and recipes including but not limited to; dessert production, savory pastry production and bread (pita)
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing for extended periods, often for the entire shift.
• Lifting and carrying items such as pots, pans, and trays weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Bending, reaching, and stooping to perform tasks around the kitchen.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to heat, cold, and humidity.

Joining the Safta team means becoming part of a family that is passionate about food, culture, and creating memorable experiences for our guests. If you share our values and are excited to contribute to a dynamic and supportive team, we invite you to apply and be a part of our story.