Executive Pastry Chef

We’re seeking a visionary Executive Pastry Chef to oversee pastry operations for two acclaimed San Francisco restaurants — including the launch of an upcoming new concept that will showcase creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship at the highest level.

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the pastry programs of two distinct restaurants, working alongside an award-winning culinary team to develop menus, inspire staff, and help define the next evolution of our pastry identity.

ABOUT DALIDA

Dalida celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our menu highlights seasonal California ingredients through a refined yet soulful lens warm, cultural, ingredient-driven, and hospitality-forward.

Dalida has already garnered significant acclaim, including:
• Recognition by the James Beard Foundation as a semifinalist for Best Chef: California
• Featured as “Recommended” in the Michelin Guide within six months of opening

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a visionary Executive Pastry Chef to lead our pastry and dessert program across lunch, dinner, catering, and special events. This is a key leadership position for someone who thrives in a high-performance, and can balance creativity with flawless execution.

The right candidate is equal parts culinary technician, flavor thinker, and team builder—someone who can push boundaries while honoring tradition, elevate the guest experience, and build systems that scale. You’ll collaborate closely with our Executive Chefs to maintain consistency, evolve the menu, and introduce modern techniques that reflect the restaurant’s ethos.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the pastry program, from concept development to daily production
• Create desserts that showcase seasonality, precision, and narrative, aligned with the restaurant’s California Eastern Mediterranean identity
• Manage, train, and mentor a dedicated pastry team, fostering professional development and a culture of excellence
• Drive innovation while maintaining consistency, quality benchmarks, and brand standards
• Oversee recipe development, costing, inventory, ordering, and waste management
• Ensure flawless execution during service in alignment with fine-dining standards
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and FOH leadership on menu rollouts, pairings, and special experiences
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and compliant kitchen environment
• Represent the restaurant at media events, collaborations, and community initiatives as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications & Competencies

• Pastry leadership experience in Michelin-rated, James Beard–recognized, or comparable fine-dining environments
• Lead and oversee all pastry operations across two restaurant locations, including consistency, and efficiency in daily production schedules, workflows, and operations
• Expertise in pastry fundamentals, contemporary techniques, and Mediterranean flavor profiles
• A strong creative point of view with an ability to translate concept into highly executable dishes
• Proven ability to develop, coach, and inspire teams while modeling professionalism and warmth
• Deep knowledge of seasonality, sourcing, and California ingredients
• Strong operational capabilities: costing, scheduling, systems-building, and multi-day production planning
• Excellent communication, organization, and time-management skills
• Passion for hospitality and a belief that desserts can tell a story

Physical & Environmental Expectations

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals.

• Stand and walk 8–10 hours per shift
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds (frequently up to 25 pounds).
• Work in hot, cold, and variable kitchen environments, including confined, busy, and noisy spaces.
• Maintain focus and multitask under pressure in a fast-paced fine-dining setting.
• Flexible schedule required, including nights, weekends, and holidays based on business needs and event operations.
• Travel between San Francisco locations as needed.
• Navigate stairs, slick surfaces, and all kitchen areas safely.
• California Food Handler Certification (or ability to obtain within required timeframe).

What we offer

• The opportunity to lead pastry programs for two acclaimed San Francisco restaurants
• Creative freedom to design and shape the pastry identity of a brand-new concept
• A supportive, growth-oriented environment with structured professional development
• A culture rooted in craftsmanship, collaboration, and respect

Compensation

• Competitive salary + performance-based bonuses
• Paid time off 
• Family meal everyday you work
• Generous dining in discounts 
• 401K 
• Health, Vision & Dental insurance

If you are a passionate pastry professional ready to lead, innovate, and make a lasting mark on San Francisco’s culinary scene, we’d love to hear from you.