About the role
Bring your creativity to the table. Create something extraordinary.
Join the culinary team at The Mather Evanston, a premier Life Plan Community in Evanston, Illinois, and turn your passion for baking into a meaningful career!
We’re seeking a Pastry Cook who takes pride in creating high-quality, scratch-made desserts and baked goods for our residents, guests, and team members. In this role, you’ll bring creativity and attention to detail to every creation, from everyday desserts to special events and buffet displays.
The ideal candidate has hands-on baking experience in a professional kitchen or pastry environment, a good understanding of baking techniques, and a passion for presentation. You’ll be comfortable following standardized recipes, managing production timelines, maintaining food safety and sanitation standards, and working both independently and as part of a collaborative culinary team.
If you enjoy creating memorable experiences through food and take pride in your craft, we’d love to hear from you!
This is a full-time, hourly position with a primary schedule of 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with some flexibility for earlier shifts as needed. Availability is required on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, with flexibility across those days.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Prepares quality baked goods, desserts and pastries at designated times and cycle menus, while demonstrating kitchen sanitation practices according to HACCP procedures. • Precuts and portions all baked goods to ensure consistency in portion controls. • Prepares any needed items for catering requests in a timely and professional manner. Works closely with Dining Room Manager on event needs. • Regularly checks menu cycle to ensure all food items are available for proper preparation of desserts and other needed items. • Responsible for early morning production of bakery and pastry needs. • Ensures a high-quality eye appeal is achieved on all bakery items. Provides additional garnishing when needed to properly present desserts. • Identifies areas for improvement, proposes possible solutions, and participates in data collection and process changes as part of the Quality Assurance Process Improvement process.
Secondary Functions: • Demonstrates proper use and cleaning of equipment and supplies and performs daily and weekly cleaning assignments. Helps maintain organization and cleanliness of baking preparation areas, and promptly reports equipment malfunctions or safety hazards to management. • Minimizes waste and over production, handles leftovers according to procedures and assures that all items are labeled, dated, and properly stored.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Required: • 1-3+ years previous baking experience, basic knowledge and understanding of baking techniques. • Ability to communicate with supervisors, co-workers, residents and guests and to follow standardized recipes. • Able to operate job related kitchen equipment and tools. • Current sanitation certification.
Preferred: • Formal culinary training. • English language proficiency.
The hourly base wage range provided is a good faith estimate of what Mather reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting. The actual hourly rate offered will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant skills, certifications, years of experience, geographic location, and current market conditions. At Mather, we are committed to being inclusive, resilient, bold, and impactful—and that includes offering a total rewards experience designed to support our team members. This position may be eligible to participate in Mather’s benefit plan and the Team Member Appreciation Fund, if applicable. Eligibility for benefits is dependent on employment status and hours worked per pay period. Participation in the Team member Appreciation Fund is not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hire date and program eligibility requirements. All benefits are subject to change without notice.
Hourly Pay Range
$20—$23 USD
Benefits
Mather offers a competitive benefits package.*
Team members are eligible for: • A generous paid time off (PTO) program including vacation days/personal days, sick days, and holidays. This is an “earn-as-you-go” plan that rolls over year to year, offering long- and short-term flexibility. • A 401(k) program with per pay-period employer match and annual employer contribution (available to those age 21 or better) • Convenient, subsidized parking (or public transportation for certain locations) • Wellness Spending Account: up to $300 available annually for Wellness related expenses such as gym memberships, financial planning, etc.
Benefits-eligible team members can take advantage of: • Medical, dental, and vision plans • Paid Parental Leave • Adoption Assistance Reimbursement • Tuition reimbursement for continuing education • Extended illness benefits • Employee wellness programs • Short- and long-term disability insurance • Life insurance - free to all team members
*Benefits are subject to change without notice. Benefits details dependent on employment status.
About The Mather:
The Mather is a Life Plan Community for those age 62 and better located in Evanston, Illinois, close to the charming downtown district and an abundance of public transportation. The Mather includes 240 independent living apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory care, long-term care, and rehabilitation services, along with multiple restaurants, a fitness center, art studio, gardens, and more.
The Mather is located at 425 Davis Street in Evanston.
About Mather
Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather is a unique, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization founded in 1941. Dedicated to developing and implementing Ways to Age WellSM, we create programs, places, and residences for today’s young-at-heart older adults. Mather has received a national certification as a Great Place to Work®, and has been selected as a Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness Award recipient four years in a row.
Mather is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive workforce. Candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Text as published by The Mather in Evanston. We don't edit postings; apply and ask questions on the employer's site.