Job Description
Head Pastry Chef
**Han Cha · Yunomi Bar · Stony Island Arts Bank**
Full-Time · Hourly · Chicago's South Side
Han Cha and Yunomi Bar live inside one of Chicago's most extraordinary buildings — the Stony Island Arts Bank, Theaster Gates's landmark cultural institution on the South Side. We're looking for a talented, detail-driven Head Pastry Chef to own and grow a pastry program rooted in craft, ritual, and cross-cultural imagination.
Position at a Glance
- **Role:** Head Pastry Chef
- **Venues:** Han Cha & Yunomi Bar
- **Type:** Full-Time, Hourly
- **Pay:** $25–$30/hour, commensurate with experience
- **Location:** 6760 S. Stony Island Ave, Chicago
- **Reports To:** Ownership
- **Availability:** Weekends required; early mornings for prep and bake
About the Space
Han Cha is a high tea salon rooted in ritual and craft — an unhurried experience built around high-quality loose-leaf teas, seasonal drinks, and elevated small bites. Yunomi Bar extends the spirit of Han Cha into evening service. Both concepts operate within the Stony Island Arts Bank, a destination for culture, community, and beauty steps from the Obama Presidential Center.
Our pastry program draws on Korean and Japanese flavors and technique — canelés and sablés, mochi and milk breads, seasonal tartlets in a high-tea service — reimagined through a cross-cultural, ingredient-forward lens. The building and the hand made ceramics play an important role in the experience. Our team members are stewards of a remarkable place.
What You'll Do
- Own the daily pastry and baked-goods program for Han Cha and Yunomi Bar — from café pastries, breads and desserts for our high-tea and special-event menus
- Develop seasonal recipes and specials that reflect the café's cross-cultural, tea-forward point of view, in collaboration with ownership and guest collaborators
- Execute consistent, beautiful production: mise en place, baking, plating, and finishing to a high standard every day
- Manage pastry ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships; control food cost and minimize waste
- Maintain impeccable food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols across all pastry production
- Support and help assistant chef on pastry prep and execution as the program grows
- Contribute to menu costing, portioning, and consistency standards
- Collaborate with the front-of-house and beverage teams to pair pastries thoughtfully with the tea and drink programs
What We're Looking For
- 3+ years of professional pastry experience, including some leadership, lead-station, or supervisory responsibility
- Strong foundational pastry and baking technique with an eye for detail and presentation
- Genuine interest in Korean, Japanese, and cross-cultural flavors — or eagerness to learn and develop them
- Ability to develop recipes, scale them for production, and hold consistency day to day
- Organized and efficient in a fast-paced kitchen; able to manage prep, ordering, and timelines independently
- Comfortable on your feet for extended shifts; able to lift up to 40 lbs
- Working knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards (Food Handler / Manager certification)
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- Connection to or interest in Chicago's South Side community is always a plus
What We Offer
- $25–$30/hour, commensurate with experience, plus tip share
- The chance to build and lead a pastry program from a place of real creative ownership
- A working environment unlike any other in the city — inside an active cultural institution
- Collaboration with artists, chefs, and a thoughtful, craft-driven food and beverage team
- A team that values care, integrity, and community
- Opportunity to grow within the organization as we expand programming and service
## How to Apply
Send a brief note of interest — no formal cover letter required — along with your relevant experience and any portfolio or photos of your work in your resume. We review applications on a rolling basis and will reach out to schedule first a zoom interview and then an in-person meeting at the Arts Bank.
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*Han Cha and Yunomi Bar are committed to building an inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. In compliance with Chicago's Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance, we consider all qualified applicants regardless of criminal history.*
*Han Cha & Yunomi Bar are hospitality concepts within the Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago. Founded in partnership with artist Theaster Gates and operated as part of the Arts Bank's living cultural mission on Chicago's South Side.*
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Seasonal work, Shift work, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, Early shift