About the role
Pastry Commis Chef
Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina is an upcoming luxury alpine resort set above the iconic mountain town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites. Scheduled to open in Winter 2026, the resort will mark the debut of Mandarin Oriental in one of Italy's most renowned mountain destinations, combining the legendary heritage of the Cristallo with Mandarin Oriental's exceptional service, refined design, and award-winning hospitality.
The resort will feature elegantly appointed rooms and suites, exceptional dining experiences, a world-class Spa & Wellness Centre, and curated year-round experiences designed for discerning international travellers seeking the finest alpine luxury.
Joining the pre-opening team offers a unique opportunity to help shape one of Europe's most anticipated luxury hotel openings, contributing to the creation of an extraordinary guest experience from day one.
About the Role
Based at Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina, the Pastry Commis Chef supports the successful pre-opening and ongoing operation of the resort's pastry kitchen. Reporting to the senior pastry team, the role assists in the preparation and production of high-quality pastry items while developing technical skills and knowledge in accordance with Mandarin Oriental culinary standards.
As a Pastry Commis Chef, you will be responsible for the following duties
Pre-Opening Responsibilities
- Assist with the setup and organisation of pastry workstations prior to opening.
- Support recipe preparation, menu testing and operational trials.
- Participate in pre-opening induction and culinary training programmes.
- Prepare equipment, utensils, ingredients and mise en place as instructed.
- Follow food safety, hygiene and HACCP procedures.
Operational Responsibilities
- Assist in preparing desserts, pastries, baked goods and mise en place according to approved recipes.
- Follow instructions from senior pastry chefs and maintain consistent quality and presentation.
- Maintain clean, organised and hygienic workstations.
- Ensure proper storage, labelling, handling and rotation of ingredients.
- Assist with receiving and organising pastry supplies.
- Report stock shortages and help minimise product waste.
- Demonstrate willingness to learn pastry techniques and production methods.
- Support all pastry sections as operationally required.
- Work collaboratively with the culinary brigade and maintain a positive professional attitude.
- Perform any other reasonable duties assigned by senior chefs.
Requirements
- Professional culinary or pastry training is preferred.
- Previous experience in a professional pastry kitchen is considered an advantage.
- Previous pre-opening experience is beneficial but not essential.
- Basic knowledge of pastry preparation, baking and kitchen operations.
- Good understanding of food safety and hygiene principles.
- Strong willingness to learn and develop professionally.
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
- Positive attitude, reliability and teamwork skills.
- Good command of English; Italian is considered an advantage.