Pastry Cook

The Purple Pig Oakbrook is seeking Pastry Cooks to join our pastry team in a fast-paced, creative restaurant and market environment. Under new leadership, we are looking for motivated, detail-oriented individuals who want to build strong fundamentals in a structured, scratch-based pastry program.

This role supports both pastry productionand pastry plating, with clear systems in place including recipes, par sheets, order guides, and opening checklists. The Pastry Plater focus is an excellent opportunity for recent culinary graduates or current students looking to gain hands-on restaurant experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Prepare pastry items and components following established recipes, specifications, and timelines
• Produce market pastries, such as laminated doughs, mediterannean pastries, quick breads, cakes, pizza dough, and gelato.
• Produce components for restaurant desserts, such as mousses, custard, tarts etc​
• Stock, label, and maintain the pastry case for daily service
• Follow opening and production checklists and par sheets
• Maintain proper labeling, rotation, storage, and organization of all products
• Communicate production needs or shortages to the Pastry Sous Chef
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety standards
• Pastry Plating
• Primary Focus:

Restaurant dessert mise en place and service executionIdeal for recent graduates and culinary students Responsibilities include:

• Prepare and organize mise en place for plated desserts
• Plate and finish desserts during service according to presentation standards
• Ensure dessert stations are fully stocked and service ready.
• Assist with garnishes, components, and basic pastry prep
• Maintain a clean, organized station throughout service
• Support pastry production during slower service periods
• Essential Duties, Responsibilities & Skills (All Pastry Cooks)
• Set up and break down stations according to restaurant guidelines
• Prepare food in a sanitary, organized, and timely manner
• Follow recipes, portion controls, and presentation standards
• Complete prep lists accurately and on time
• Restock items as needed throughout the shift
• Assist with cleaning and organization of the kitchen, walk-ins, and storage areas
• Maintain food cost awareness through pars, proper rotation, labeling, and waste control
• Work well within a team while maintaining a positive, flexible attitude
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including receiving and putting away orders
• Education & Experience
• Culinary degree preferred but not required
• Previous pastry, prep, or line cook experience preferred
• High-volume, systems-based, scratch kitchen experience is a plus
• Open availability including mornings, weekends, and holidays
• ANSI-accredited ServSafe Food Handler Certification required upon hire
• Pizza dough, baking, or gelato experience is a plus, not required