Executive Pastry Chef

Position Summary

The Executive Pastry Chef is responsible for delivering exceptional service while embodying the Core Values of Paws Up Montana. This role is instrumental in creating authentic, personalized experiences for guests and ensuring seamless daily operations. Through professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence, the Executive Pastry Chef helps create unforgettable Montana experiences that define the Paws Up brand. This role leads and oversees all pastry, baking, and dessert production across the resort's culinary venues, crafting signature artisan breads, elevated plated desserts, and custom event confections. By setting high technical standards and mentoring the pastry team, the Executive Pastry Chef ensures that every sweet experience reflects the highest level of luxury hospitality.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the daily operation of the pastry and baking department, ensuring that all baked goods, desserts, and artisan items meet luxury resort quality standards.

• Exhibit exceptional pastry and baking talent by personally preparing, decorating, and presenting high-end desserts, pastries, and bread products.

• Design, develop, and refine creative pastry and dessert menus for all dining outlets, special events, private dining, and custom guest requests.

• Identify and communicate daily and weekly pastry production needs to the baking and pastry team.

• Meet daily with culinary managers to review production schedules, coordinate outlet needs, review special dietary requests, and plan event menus.

• Conduct daily shift meetings with the pastry and culinary teams.

• Understand, strictly enforce, and follow food allergy procedures, dietary restrictions, and special guest modifications.

• Estimate production volume on a weekly basis to optimize inventory turn, minimize waste, and maintain fresh product availability.

• Maintain proficiency across all pastry and baking disciplines, including plated desserts, artisan breads, specialized occasion cakes, and seasonal confections.

• Drive continuous improvement in guest dining satisfaction while operating within established labor and food cost budgets.

• Provide active coaching, mentorship, and clear feedback to pastry team members to foster artistic and professional growth.

• Submit future goals, operational improvements, and personnel management updates to leadership.

• Interview, hire, train, and develop pastry and baking team members, ensuring high standards of technical execution and cleanliness.

• Partner with service managers and front-of-house teams to train staff on pastry menu profiles, flavor pairings, and presentation standards.

• Identify, address, and document individual employee performance issues according to standard operating procedures.

• Perform a daily “walk through” of pastry inventory to prioritize ingredient freshness and effective stock rotation.

• Supervise and participate in the purchasing and ordering of all specialty baking ingredients, dairy, chocolate, and pastry supplies.

• Ensure full compliance with all Food & Beverage policies, health department standards, sanitation rules, and safety procedures.

• Actively engage with guests in dining rooms during special events or resort functions to share the narrative behind the pastry program and build lasting guest relationships.

• Maintain strong written and verbal organizational skills.

Supportive Functions & Responsibilities

• Display Paws Up Montana’s values and standards at all times.

• Always demonstrate professionalism and hospitality to guests and team members.

• Handle guest transactions and special requests legally, ethically, and confidentially.

• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all resort team members to foster and promote a positive working environment.

• Always maintain a clean, professional, and neat appearance.

• Perform work in a safe, efficient, and high-quality manner.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: High school diploma, GED, vocational training, or job-related coursework required. 2-Year Culinary or Pastry Arts AOS Degree or equivalent specialized pastry training strongly preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of professional pastry and baking experience in high-end or fine dining environments, including at least 3 years in a pastry management or supervisory role.

• Skills & Knowledge: Expertise in advanced pastry techniques, bread baking, chocolate work, and plated dessert design; knowledge of world-class hospitality standards; basic proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Licensure & Certifications: Valid Food Handler’s License and valid State Driver’s License with at least two years of driving experience.

• Background Clearance: Must pass a background check with a clean driving record for the previous 5 years.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, reach, bend, and work on your feet for extended periods during shift operations.

• Ability to work in varying kitchen environments, including heat from ovens and cool prep spaces.

• Ability to safely lift and carry baking supplies, flour sacks, and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.

What We Offer: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

• 401K with Employer Match

• Short Term Housing

• Paid Time Off – 9 Floating Holidays and 15 Personal Days

• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities

• Life Insurance, Long Term, and Short-Term Disability

• Employee Assistance Program (5 free counseling sessions)

• Referral Bonus Program (Get paid $250 to recruit)

• Carpool Reimbursement ($5-$20/Day)

• Employee Discounts on Merchandise (30% on select items in our retail store)

• Employee Lunch Provided

If you are passionate about hospitality, possess a mastery of pastry arts, and are ready to take on a new challenge at a prestigious resort, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join our dynamic team at Paws Up Montana!

Paws Up Montana provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.