Lead Pastry Cook

OVERVIEW 

Mister Cheeks is an all-day café and neighborhood market located in the heart of Carroll Gardens, proudly owned and operated by a local family. We're on the hunt for passionate, creative team members who love great food, warm hospitality, and serving the community as much as we do. Guests can swing by our takeout window for coffee and soft serve ice cream, or step inside to browse a thoughtfully curated spread of house-made eats including pastries, soups, sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, and seasonal salads. All of which can be enjoyed in our cozy indoor or outdoor seating — or picked up to go. 

JOB SUMMARY

Mister Cheeks is looking for a skilled pastry cook to join us on our BOH team. You'll lead in-house sweet & savory pastry production while also supporting daily prep for our curated cafe offerings. We love diving into exciting projects like seasonal pastries and developing new soft serve ice cream flavors. It’s a chance to expand your skills, experiment with flavors, and bring creative ideas to life while working alongside a passionate, collaborative crew. We’re building a team that values good technique, clear communication, and working clean. If you take pride in your work and want to grow with a supportive kitchen, we’d love to meet you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Prep, scale, shape and bake a range of pastries and baked goods, including seasonal variations of morning buns, savory scones, danishes, muffins, focaccia, and cookies
• Assist with daily savory prep according to the daily production schedule— chopping, marinating, portioning, and organizing everything needed for service and grab-and-go item.
• Participate in team tastings, training, and daily kitchen huddles to stay in sync on menus and expectations
• Keep your station stocked and tidy throughout the day, replenishing as needed and working clean
• Maintain proper handling and storage of all food products to ensure freshness, prevent food waste, and promote food safety standards
• Follow recipes and prep guidelines to ensure everything adheres to Mister Cheeks’ high standards for quality and consistency
• Communicate with teammates to stay ahead of volume and adjust as needed
• Help with deliveries — checking quality, rotating stock, and keeping storage areas organized
• Pitch in during busy moments — supporting other stations, keeping flow moving, and helping wherever needed
• Treat tools and equipment with care, and flag any issues early
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and workplace hygiene standards per NYC Department of Health

WHO YOU ARE

• A passionate and motivated pastry/culinary professional with a strong attention to detail
• Efficient, organized, and capable of multitasking in a fast-paced environment
• Eager to learn and grow your skills, with a commitment to excellence
• A reliable and collaborative team player who values communication and support

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in commercial kitchens 
• Strong baking and knife skills and a thorough understanding of baking techniques
• Active food handlers license or willing to obtain during onboarding

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Involves standing and walking the entire shift
• Requires using hands to perform daily tasks
• Involves frequent reaching, bending, and lifting
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly during the shift

REPORTS TO: Head Chef, Owners

BENEFITS: Through our benefits partner, we provide access to affordably priced preventative care, crisis services, mental & physical wellness, continuing education, family planning & support, and culinary tools & apparel. Full details will be shared in the hiring process.

GENERAL WORKING HOURS: 

• Proposed Operating Hours of business: Mon-Sat 7:30am-7pm; Sun 8am-5pm
• Schedule: Shifts beginning at 6:00am
• May include extra hours and working weekends, events, additional hours, or holidays as needed

DISCLAIMERS

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mister Cheeks provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

At-Will Employment

Employment with Mister Cheeks is on an at-will basis. This means that either the employee or Mister Cheeks may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, subject to applicable federal, state, or local laws.