Pastry Sous Chef

The Pastry Sous Chef is a senior leadership position responsible for the daily execution, consistency, and continued growth of the pastry program across all food & beverage operations at Carmel Country Club. This role supports and collaborates with the Executive Pastry Chef while serving as the primary operational leader of the pastry department, ensuring flawless execution, team development, and an elevated member experience at every point of service.

This position requires a disciplined culinary leader with advanced technical skill in laminated dough production, bread production, chocolate work, and custom cake design, capable of managing high-volume production, luxury-level presentation, large-scale events, and innovative pastry concepts simultaneously.

Outlets & Programs Under Oversight

Primary Outlets

1947 Restaurant

Gaslight Grill

Post Market (Café & Grab-and-Go)

North & South Turn House

Pool Grill (seasonal)

Banquets & Special Events

Signature Programs & Culinary Activations

Monthly Farmers Markets - Seasonal Pastry Pop-Up Series - Chef's Tables & Tasting Experiences - Holiday & Themed Club Events - Private Member Celebrations - Custom Cake & Special-Order Program

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Execution

Lead and execute all pastry production for daily service, banquets, and special events across six outlets and multiple service platforms.

Oversee advanced pastry production including laminated doughs (croissant, puff pastry, Danish), plated desserts, breads, pastries, confections, and specialty items.

Direct all chocolate work, including tempering, molding, showpieces, truffles, bonbons, garnishes, and decorative elements for events and displays.

Manage all aspects of the custom cake program, including consultations, design, production, and execution for member events and celebrations.

Maintain exceptional standards of quality, flavor, presentation, and consistency in all pastry offerings.

Drive recipe development, plating standards, and portion control across the entire pastry program.

Operational Management

Manage daily production schedules, prep systems, and service execution for the pastry department.

Coordinate seamlessly with Banquet, Garde Manger, and Hot Line teams to ensure cohesive event execution.

Oversee inventory, ordering, waste control, and food cost management for the pastry program.

Maintain full compliance with health department regulations, sanitation standards, and HACCP procedures.

Team Development & Culture

Train, mentor, and develop pastry cooks and apprentices in foundational and advanced pastry techniques including lamination, chocolate, sugar work, and cake production.

Establish clear systems, standards, and accountability within the pastry department.

Foster a professional, collaborative kitchen culture rooted in excellence, respect, and continuous improvement.

Creativity & Innovation

Lead creative development of new desserts, seasonal features, and pastry programs.

Drive innovation within the Farmers Market program, pastry pop-ups, holiday features, chocolate showcases, and special culinary activations.

Partner with the Executive Pastry Chef and Culinary Director on long-term concept development and strategic growth.

Member Experience Focus

Ensure pastry offerings consistently exceed member expectations across all outlets and events.

Participate in tastings, member events, and culinary experiences as a representative of the pastry program.

Respond to member feedback with professionalism, adaptability, and continuous refinement.

Qualifications

Minimum 5+ years professional pastry experience, with at least 2+ years in a leadership role in luxury hospitality, resort, or private club environments.

Advanced proficiency in laminated doughs, chocolate work, and custom cake production.

Proven experience managing high-volume production and large-scale events.

Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-outlet environment while maintaining exceptional standards.

Passion for mentoring teams and building strong culinary culture.

Learn more about Dining at Carmel

We exceed expectations by following the C.A.R.M.E.L. Way

Courtesy

Awareness

Relationship building

Making it special

Enthusiasm

Latitude

Our Chief Priorities

• Be the Premier Family Club in the Southeast
• Be an Employer of Choice in Charlotte
• Maintain Facility Excellence
• Provide a Safe & Secure Environment
• Deliver an Excellent Member Experience

We find creative ways to get to a "Yes"

Carmel is a club that offers what we can do as opposed to saying what we cannot do. Our team works together to find a way to accommodate member requests as long as the outcome is safe, legal, and courteous. Sometimes the hardest part of this is meeting the last requirement: courteousness. If the request will disrupt other members or negatively impact your team members, then we need to find a creative solution to offer the member.

About Us

Carmel has earned recognition as a Platinum Club of America, a Five Star Private Club and was named the number 13 private club in America by Club Leaders Forum. Charlotte Observer named Carmel Top Places to Work in 2023. We appreciate all these fine recognitions, but we take our greatest pride in our family atmosphere and all the wonderful moments members have experienced and shared over the years, and the teamwork shared by our team members. Carmel is a symbol of tradition in Charlotte, a place where the whole family loves to be, and everyone feels more at home.

What we offer:

• Competitive wages paid biweekly
• Benefits for regular, full-time team members:

Paid time off

Cost-shared medical & prescription benefits

Club paid basic life insurance, long and short-term disability

Dental, vision, life insurance, Health Savings Account

401k with Club match for eligible team members

• Perks for all team members

Daily meals, sodas, and ice cream located in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment inside the clubhouse

Golf and tennis playing privileges

Discounts on items in our Tennis and Golf shops

Training and growth opportunities

Please note:

• We regret that we cannot contact all applicants directly. You will receive an auto response when your application has been received.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon applicants consenting to, and successfully passing, a pre-employment screening.
• We are a drug free workplace.
• We comply withE-Verify procedures.
• If the position requires a team member to drive machinery or a golf cart, a valid driver's license must be presented, and a Motor Vehicle Report may be required.
• We comply with state and federal regulations for youth employment. You must be at least 16 years of age to work at Carmel Country Club and have a youth certificate filed. Learn more here: Youth Employment Certificate | NC DOL