Pastry Chef
Seattle, WA
Shipboard – Galley /
full-time /
On-site
WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
About the Role
The Pastry Chef is a key member of our galley team, responsible for preparing all baked goods and desserts served onboard — from freshly baked breads and pastries to plated desserts, teatime treats, and special occasion items. This hands-on role plays a central part in shaping the guest dining experience, delivering consistent quality and presentation while also supporting dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-sensitive items.
Working closely with the Head Chef, the Pastry Chef manages daily production, assists with inventory and ordering, and ensures sanitation and food safety standards are met at all times. While the primary focus is baking and pastry, this role also contributes to broader galley operations, including cleaning, provisioning, and occasional support with crew meals or dishwashing.
This position is ideal for someone with strong baking and pastry skills, excellent time management, and a passion for working in dynamic, team-driven environments. Pastry Chefs work approximately 12 hours per day on a rotational schedule of 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Food Preparation
- Participates in the actual baking of guest breakfast, lunch, and dinner breads (both Sweet and Savory), as well as any spreads, jams or butter accompanying breads. As well as any baked goods for meal periods.
- Prepares, and plates guest dinner, and lunch desserts. Including mise en place, sauce and garnish.
- Prepares mid- morning, and high tea pastries and baked goods and any out of the blue and ‘welcome’ baked good.
- Ability to prepare and produce baked goods and desserts as per required dietary restrictions (GF, Vegan, kosher, lactose free).
- May assist in production of crew meal.
- Works with Head Chef on inventory and baking/pastry orders.
Cleaning
- Responsible for all baking and pastry area food service sanitary compliance. Including, but not limited to, all equipment and countertop equipment, deck, bulkheads and overheads.
- Respects and follows proper FIFO for all baking and pastry pantry.
- Helps maintain organization in the walk in cooler and freezer, and respects the designated areas of storage within the walk-ins
- Helps maintain the cleanliness of the galley area and food storage rooms.
- Adheres to all CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Health Canada requirements.
- Assists in dishwashing as needed and/or assigned.
Food Stores:
- Assists in loading, handling and proper storage of food and related items to maintain inventory at appropriate stocking levels and to ensure proper rotation of perishable and non-perishable food items.
Safety and Security:
- Participates in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
- Adheres to Company’s policy on uniform, to promote company’s image, safety, and standards.
- Participates in shore side training as required by the company.
- Familiar with the ISM codes and requirements.
- Maintains familiarity with all duties under the company Safety Management System and Emergency Station Billet duties.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Completion of formal training at a culinary or Baking and pastry school preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the culinary industry on board passenger ships preferred.
- Good time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to get along with co-workers and support a team environment.
- May be responsible for training and guiding others and/or reviewing their work.
Licenses/Certificates
- US Passport, or US Permanent Resident Card with valid passport.
- STCW Basic Safety Training required.
- STCW Crowd Management required
- USCG Medical Certificate required.
- STCW Maritime Security Awareness required.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification required.
- TWIC required.
$193 - $203 a day
Target base salary for this role based on experience and vessel and reflects the total daily compensation: $185 - 195/daily
Breakdown of the total compensation range: $143- $153 base daily rate + $50 guaranteed tip + additional 10% vacation pay
Bonus opportunity target: 5%
Employment is contingent on the following:
- In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
- Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
- Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.
Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.
Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.
Communication Skills
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.
COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.
