Assistant Pastry Chef

Overview

Join us as a Assistant Pastry Chef for an exciting new restaurant opening, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the culinary experience from day one! This energetic leadership position offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase your culinary expertise, team management skills, and passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences. As a key member of our opening team, you'll oversee kitchen operations, ensure food quality and safety standards are met, and inspire your team to achieve excellence. Your dedication will help set the foundation for a vibrant, innovative restaurant that delights guests and elevates our culinary reputation.

Duties

• Lead and supervise kitchen staff to ensure smooth daily operations, maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation.
• Assist in menu planning and development, incorporating fresh ingredients and innovative dishes aligned with our concept.
• Oversee food preparation and cooking processes, ensuring consistency, taste, and presentation meet brand standards.
• Manage inventory control, including ordering supplies, minimizing waste, and maintaining accurate stock levels.
• Enforce food safety sanitizing procedures and ensure compliance with health regulations to guarantee a safe dining environment.
• Coordinate with front-of-house teams to ensure seamless service during all shifts, including catering and banquet events if applicable.
• Monitor cost control measures while maintaining exceptional quality standards to optimize profitability.
• Provide mentorship and training to team members, fostering a positive work environment focused on growth and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in fine dining environments with a strong background in food production and kitchen management.
• Supervising experience with demonstrated leadership in managing culinary teams effectively.
• Extensive banquet, catering, or large-scale food service experience is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of dietary department procedures and food handling safety protocols.
• Skilled in inventory management, cost control, and food industry best practices.
• Strong understanding of food safety sanitizing procedures and hygiene standards.
• Excellent cooking skills with the ability to oversee diverse menu items and catering services.
• Previous restaurant management or hospitality experience preferred; leadership qualities are essential.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and quality standards.

About Us

Park Lights Hospitality is expanding after calling Winter Park, Florida home for two decades. It started with Luma on Park, the restaurant that redefined dining on Park Avenue, and in 2011 we opened Prato just down the street—a wood-fired, modern-Italian kitchen built around simple ingredients, house-made pastas, and a room that hums seven nights a week. Next came Luke's opening in 2017.

Now we're taking the show on the road. This fall, Prato opens its first location outside Florida at Bethesda Row in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, with Nashville following in early 2027 and more major markets in the works. Each new Prato brings the signature Winter Park feel—exposed brick, warm wood, and that perfectly dialed-in lighting—to a brand-new neighborhood, along with the energy and hospitality that made the original a legend.

This is the start of a national brand, and we're building the team that will carry it there. If you love great food, big rooms, and the chance to grow with a company that's just getting started, we'd love to meet you.

Embark on this exciting journey with us! We’re committed to supporting your growth as a culinary leader while delivering memorable dining experiences that keep guests coming back for more.