Job Purpose:
The Youth Pastry & Baking Instructor (Teaching Pastry Chef) works collaboratively with the Youth Development team to coordinate, plan, and implement hands-on baking and pastry instruction for youth ages 8–18. This role integrates culinary arts with life skills, emotional intelligence, and career exploration while ensuring a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed learning environment rooted in the Sanctuary Model’s Seven Commitments. We are seeking a creative, patient, and passionate Pastry Chef who can teach youth how to bake and prepare food from scratch, demonstrate fundamental techniques, develop seasonal curriculum, and foster a love for cooking while modeling nutritious, healthier alternatives.
Position Summary:
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Plans, coordinates, and delivers hands-on baking and pastry programming for youth ages 8–18; develops a seasonal, age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans (e.g., bread basics, pastry techniques, healthy desserts).
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Teaches youth how to make baked goods and other menu items from scratch;
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Demonstrates fundamental through advanced pastry techniques and leads engaging, inclusive hands-on labs that build confidence, creativity, and foundational skills; integrates nutrition, budgeting, entrepreneurship, and career exploration.
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Builds supportive relationships with youth; uses baking as a tool for confidence-building, self-expression, and social-emotional learning; facilitates reflection and teamwork skill development.
- Leads hands-on cooking and baking labs with a consistent focus on safety, sanitation, and foundational skills. Maintains a safe and sanitary kitchen environment;
- Manages inventory, ingredients, and equipment within budget; sources needed supplies; and supervises youth safely.
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Prepares baked goods and other food items for special organization events, program showcases, and community engagement opportunities, as needed.
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Collaborates with staff; tracks attendance and outcomes; completes documentation.
- Integrates Sanctuary principles to promote social-emotional growth, teamwork, resilience, and enthusiasm for nutritious eating and healthier alternatives.
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Actively participates in all required team meetings, trainings and supervisory sessions. Meets regularly with supervisor, communicates openly needs, concerns, and ideas; utilizes feedback given in supervisory sessions.
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Performs in accordance with established system-wide competencies and receives satisfactory performance evaluations annually.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Education: Culinary or pastry arts training through formal education (culinary diploma or equivalent) or comparable professional experience. Minimum 2–3 years of pastry/baking experience. Experience working with youth in afterschool, community-based, or educational settings and/or prior teaching experience strongly preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Food safety knowledge required. ServSafe Certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
Minimum Requirements:
- Commitment to trauma-informed, gender-responsive youth development and passion for the organization’s mission.
- Ability to engage diverse learning styles.
- Creativity, patience, flexibility, and emotional intelligence.
- Knowledge of inequity issues that impact girls and young women of color.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues that impact girls living in underserved, low socioeconomic areas.
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Strong problem solving, interpersonal relationship and communications skills necessary.
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Must be available to work evenings and some weekends when program activities are planned.
- Valid PA driver’s license with excellent driving record, reliable vehicle, insurance 300/100,000 and registration required.
Clearances Required: PA Act 33 (Child Abuse) / Act 34 (Criminal History) / Federal Criminal History Record (FBI Fingerprint) / National Sex Offender Registry
Other Skills/Abilities:
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Must demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the cultural diversity of clients, volunteers and staff throughout the provision of services.
Ability to make safe and appropriate decisions during times of crisis
Work Environment:
Works in an afterschool setting with adolescent girls with adverse backgrounds. Staff must be prepared to engage in verbal and physical interventions in the event of a crisis.
Physical Requirements: Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, stooping, reaching overhead, speaking, hearing, reading comprehension and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
General Requirements: 1) Afterschool and community-based program sites in kitchen and classroom settings; 2) Frequently required to work at a fast pace; 3) Requires considerable concentration and creativity; 4) Weekend and evening work may be required; 5) Some travel may be required.
