About the role
Pastry Demi Chef de Partie
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 Demi Chef de Partie supports the successful pre-opening and ongoing operation of the resort's pastry kitchen. Reporting to the Pastry Chef de Partie and Head Pastry Chef, the role assists with the preparation and production of desserts, pastries and bakery items while ensuring consistency, quality and compliance with Mandarin Oriental standards.
As a Pastry Demi Chef de Partie, you will be responsible for the following duties
Pre-Opening Responsibilities
- Support the setup and organisation of pastry workstations prior to the resort opening.
- Assist with menu testing, recipe preparation, tastings and mock services.
- Participate in pre-opening induction and pastry training programmes.
- Prepare equipment, ingredients and mise en place according to operational requirements.
- Support the implementation of food safety, hygiene and HACCP procedures.
Operational Responsibilities
- Assist the Pastry Chef de Partie in the daily operation of the assigned section.
- Prepare and present pastry products according to approved recipes and standards.
- Ensure consistency in taste, presentation and portion control.
- Support and guide Commis colleagues when required.
- Maintain clean, organised and hygienic workstations throughout the shift.
- Ensure correct storage, handling and rotation of ingredients.
- Monitor stock levels and report replenishment needs.
- Minimise waste and use ingredients efficiently.
- Work collaboratively with the pastry and wider culinary teams.
- Perform any other reasonable duties assigned by senior chefs.
Requirements
- Professional culinary or pastry qualification is preferred.
- Minimum 2 years' experience in a professional pastry kitchen, ideally within a luxury hotel or fine dining environment.
- Previous pre-opening experience is considered an advantage.
- Good knowledge of pastry preparation and baking techniques.
- Sound understanding of food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.
- Strong willingness to learn and develop professionally.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure.
- Positive attitude, reliability and strong teamwork skills.
- Good command of English; Italian is considered an advantage.