About Cafe Knotted:

Cafe Knotted was founded in 2017 in Seoul, starting as a small artisanal dessert cafe with a focus on creating high-quality, hand-crafted, cream-filled donuts and pastries. Its trendy interiors, eye-catching designs, and delectable flavors quickly gained popularity, especially through social media, where the brand's playful aesthetics made it a sensation. 

As the brand's reputation grew, Cafe Knotted has fast become a favorite (not just for locals but for international visitors as well), and has expanded rapidly, growing to over 40 locations throughout South Korea. As Cafe Knotted has grown, the brand has continued to elevate its menu, offering everything from premium coffee to cakes, all while staying true to its roots as a whimsical, donut-centric brand. With its immersive consumer experience, and attention to detail in both presentation and taste, Cafe Knotted has become a cultural icon in South Korea.

Cafe Knotted is excited to share that it is currently seeking team members to join the opening teams of the highly anticipated first locations of Cafe Knotted in the US.

Position Overview:

Cafe Knotted is looking for a dedicated and skilled Executive Pastry Chef to lead our opening teams as we begin our US operations. This position will initially be based out of our commissary kitchen located in Echo Park, and will support our future retail locations with donut, cookie, pastry, and cake production and R&D. 

We are looking for a passionate individual to lead the opening of our bakery production program. The ideal candidate will have good communication skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sense of professionalism, ability to work in a team setting, respect for teammates/tools/facilities/ingredients, and above all, a positive approach to work. This pivotal role will be vital to the success of future Cafe Knotted operations in the Southern California market and beyond.

Executive Pastry Chef responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• In coordination with the Cafe Knotted Corporate Team, lead the development of new products and ensure that development follows all timelines and deadlines.
• Develop recipes and prep guides, perform cost analysis, oversee training, and work together with Cafe Knotted Corporate Team in the development of marketing & promotional collateral (e.g. food photoshoots) for all new products.
• Work with the Cafe Knotted Corporate team to source and test packaging for all new products.
• Oversee all catering orders, off-site events, chef collaborations, pop-ups, etc.
• Lead the bakery production team in all aspects of production, including but not limited to: scaling, mixing, sheeting, shaping, proofing, frying, baking, etc., making sure that the team is working efficiently with the allotted amount of time for each task. 
• Execute all products with care and attention to detail according to company standards - getting the team to strive for the utmost quality, precision and consistency.
• Lead the team to ensure that all stations are properly set up for the next day’s production with all tools, recipe scaling, mise en place, and necessary product left in the designated places - communicating any pertinent details to the team working the following day.
• Ensure proper inventory management and quality maintenance by making sure that all necessary items are properly cooled, labeled, dated, covered, monitored for freshness, and rotated.
• Lead inventory management - having an intimate understanding of current inventory levels, current week prep needs, setting production par levels, and ordering accordingly.
• Responsible for ensuring that all invoices are accurate, on time and filed in accordance with company policies and procedures (flagging and following up with vendors on any sudden price increases).
• Complete all end of day reporting in a timely, detailed, and complete manner.
• Oversee repair & maintenance of facilities and equipment, completing regular maintenance walk-throughs of the space to ensure all equipment is working properly, and ensuring all weekly side-work, deep-clean checklists and maintenance upkeep checklists are completed.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, hygienic, and aesthetically-pleasing work space (including shared spaces with co-tenants, e.g. walk-in refrigerator, walk-in freezer, dry-storage), in accordance with Cafe Knotted operations and LA Department of Public Health sanitation guidelines.
• Assist in interviewing potential new hires.
• Train new employees by sharing knowledge, resources, and clearly conveying the correct procedures, workflow and skills to the new employee.
• Supervise the team, guiding their development, and when necessary, providing progressive disciplinary action to maintain a standard of accountability.
• Support other areas of the kitchen as needed, and be able and willing to assist teammates in the kitchen as needed, recognizing that every day presents varying needs and adjusting workflow to meet these needs.
• Recognize the importance of professionalism and respect and exemplify this in interactions with vendors and teammates alike.
• Foster a positive work environment and commitment to Cafe Knotted’s values.

Qualified Executive Pastry Chefs must be energetic, enthusiastic, and have a great attitude, as well as:

• At least 2 years of cooking experience (e.g. full-service restaurant, bakery, production kitchen, etc.).
• Formal education in culinary arts, pastry and/or bread making, preferred but not required.
• Fundamental knowledge of relevant food preparation, ingredients, and techniques.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Highly organized, productive, and able to work meticulously in a professional work environment.
• Good attention to detail throughout all processes.
• Willingness to take direction, and the ability to produce product according to training and posted recipes, to the standard of the company, by the expected time.
• Ability to work efficiently and complete station tasks according to the posted timeline without compromising quality.
• Energetic and friendly personality, with strong willingness and ability to support colleagues.
• Regular, predictable and reliable attendance.
• Broad and flexible availability to work.
• California Food Manager’s certification.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions include:

• Requires moderate physical effort: standing for 6-8 hours, carrying, stretching, wrist movement, fine manipulation, grasping, pulling and pushing, lifting of weights up to 35 pounds, stooping, bending, twisting, squatting, reaching, etc.
• Requires the ability to safely and effectively use all necessary tools and equipment.
• Working conditions involve noise, heat, cold, temperature changes, kitchen elements, odors, moisture, exposure to FDA-approved cleaning chemicals, etc.  
• May be required to work additional hours as dictated by the workload and staffing.  
• Must be willing to work early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.

If you feel you meet the requirements, are a team player, experienced, passionate, and dedicated to your craft, we want to hear from you!  Please reply with a copy of your resume and a cover letter detailing why you'd be a great addition to our team! 

Cafe Knotted is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.