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Pastry Apprentice Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary Our Apprentice Baker is a key player in making sure our pastries look and taste amazing. In addition to providing unparalleled guest service, you'll assist in creating beautiful and ...

Apprentice Cake Decorator

Robinson, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.75/hr

Job Summary Our Apprentice Cake Decorator is a key player in making sure our pastries look and taste amazing. In addition to providing unparalleled guest service, you'll assist in creating beautiful ...

Cake Decorator - Full Time

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $18.25/hr

Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items ... Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members. * Create ...

Cake Decorator - Full Time

Chicago, IL · On-site

$14.50 - $18.50/hr

Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items ... Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members. * Create ...

Cake Decorator - Part Time

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $18.25/hr

Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items ... Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members. * Create ...

Cake Decorator - Full Time

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18 - $30.20/hr

Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items ... Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members. * Create ...

Cake Decorator - Full Time

Chicago, IL · On-site

$18 - $30.20/hr

Assemble, fill, and finish/decorate cakes, tarts, select pastry, and special-order bakery items ... Provide guidance and support for Bakery Decorator Apprentices and other Team Members. * Create ...

Baker's Assistant

Evanston, IL · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Baker's assistants measure and prepare ingredients, mix doughs and batters, shape and fill pastries ... apprentice baker or qualified baker roles, gaining more responsibility in baking and recipe ...

Chef Tournant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Formal culinary education or apprenticeship from a recognized institution preferred * Minimum of 3 ... pastry exposure a plus) * Experience executing refined cuisine with premium ingredients * Strong ...

New

Experienced Cake Decorator

Robinson, IL · On-site

$13.75 - $17.75/hr

Job Summary Our Cake Decorator is a key player in making sure our pastries look and taste amazing ... Eagle Apprenticeship program * Education Desired: No High School diploma required * Lifting ...

Pastry Apprentice information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$16

$25

How much do pastry apprentice jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for pastry apprentice in Illinois is $16.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $18.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pastry apprentice?

Pastry apprentices are entry-level culinary workers who are learning the art and techniques of baking and pastry making under the supervision of experienced pastry chefs. They assist with preparing doughs, batters, fillings, and decorating baked goods such as breads, cakes, and pastries. The apprenticeship allows them to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and understand kitchen operations. Over time, pastry apprentices can advance to higher positions as they gain proficiency in the craft.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pastry apprentice?

To thrive as a Pastry Apprentice, you need a foundational understanding of baking techniques, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn, often supported by a high school diploma or enrollment in a culinary program. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and recipe management systems is typically required. Creativity, strong time management, and the ability to take direction are essential soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills are important because they ensure the apprentice can produce consistent, high-quality pastries while contributing effectively to a busy kitchen environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a pastry apprentice, and how can they be overcome?

Pastry Apprentices often encounter challenges such as mastering time management during high-volume production and learning to work efficiently under pressure. Adapting to the precision required in pastry recipes and presentation can also be demanding, as consistency is crucial in professional kitchens. To overcome these hurdles, apprentices should be proactive in seeking feedback from mentors, practice meticulous organization, and gradually build speed while maintaining quality. Developing strong communication skills with the pastry team also helps ensure smooth workflow during busy periods.

What is the difference between Pastry Apprentice vs Pastry Cook?

AspectPastry ApprenticePastry Cook
CredentialsBasic culinary training, often in pastry artsFormal culinary education or equivalent experience
Work EnvironmentTraining kitchens, bakeries, pastry shopsBakery kitchens, restaurants, hotels
Job RoleAssists in pastry preparation, learns techniquesPrepares and bakes pastries, manages pastry station

In summary, a Pastry Apprentice is in training, focusing on learning pastry techniques under supervision, while a Pastry Cook is a more experienced role responsible for preparing pastries independently in professional kitchens.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pastry jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Pastry jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Pastry Apprentice jobs in Illinois?

For Pastry Apprentice jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pastry Apprentice jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Pastry Apprentice jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Pastry Apprentice jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Pastry Apprentice job openings:

Infographic showing various Pastry Apprentice job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $35,074 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Apprentice Baker

Gianteagle

Robinson, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Perform bench work and prepare bakery products according to established recipes and specifications.

  • Bake, proof, and handle bakery items to ensure quality, freshness, and proper presentation.

  • Maintain safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards in the bakery work area and equipment.


Giant Eagle rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 721 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

52nd of 124 rated grocery stores


Job description

Job Summary

Our Apprentice Baker is a key player in making sure our pastries look and taste amazing. In addition to providing unparalleled guest service, you'll assist in creating beautiful and delicious art for our guests and provide the sweets that will be the hit of their parties. Other key responsibilities include producing quality bakery products to ensure customer requirements are met and building customer loyalty by providing exemplary customer service. This is an exciting opportunity to learn all aspects of the Bakery Department including Clerk functions and Cake Decorator functions. You'll also focus on baker duties for someone with minimal or no retail decorating experience. To thrive in this position, you should be a team player. You know that you are only successful when those around you are set up for success. You are eager to support an amazing team, have the drive to grow your career in leadership and have the ability to inspire those around you. You are creative with cuisine and love to help others foster their own creativity. An interest in food doesn't quite scratch the surface for you - you're passionate about the business, the trends and what makes customers tick. You have culinary vision beyond a simple "what's for dinner?" and every opportunity to connect with people is an opportunity for you exchange ideas and learn tricks of the trade. Our Bakers are the cream of the crop and must ensure that each guest discovers the pleasure of tasting incredible food and our passion for providing it at every turn.

Job Description

  • Experience Required: 0 to 6 months
  • Experience Desired: Prior experience working in Bakery or related industry
  • Education Desired: No High School diploma required
  • Lifting Requirement: Up to 50 pounds
  • Age Requirement: At least 18 years of age


Job Responsibilities

  • Perform bench work according to established scratch procedures when necessary.
  • Prepare product and form product to specifications as required according to scratch recipes.
  • Bake prepared product using appropriate time and temperature as specified by recipe.
  • Properly insert products into proof box, set controls, and close door to ensure proper size and shape of product.
  • Prepare and fry donuts according to established procedures.
  • Insert products into and retrieve products from the freezer to preserve freshness.
  • Actively demonstrate appropriate suggestive selling techniques and provide active sampling when appropriate.
  • Maintain safety as the top priority in all aspects of our work, for our Team Members, guests, and products.
  • Provide exemplary customer service by greeting customers and ensuring they are able to locate the products they are looking for. Bakery Team Members are also expected to have sufficient knowledge to answer questions and make suggestions to our customers.
  • Properly handle products and equipment in accordance with food safety and safety guidelines to ensure a safe shopping environment.
  • Maintain cleanliness of equipment, tables, utensils, floor, department work area, including the back room, coolers and freezers, to ensure that safety and sanitation regulations are met.
  • Bake prepared and scratch product for the Bakery cases and displays, rotating product and ensuring code dating procedures are followed and only the freshest product is available for sale.
  • Maintain proper safety and sanitation methods, emergency procedures, cleanups, steritech, proper lifting and housekeeping to ensure department standards are met.
  • Accurately record special orders on Bakery products to ensure the customer is delighted with the finished product.
  • Understand all the ingredients and purpose of each used in manufacturing scratch baked goods.
  • Assemble necessary baking ingredients to prepare for baking operation including all scratch recipes.
  • Assist in maintaining bakery backroom, cooler and freezer efficiency by unloading deliveries.
  • Assist in other areas as required.

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About Giant Eagle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Giant Eagle Inc., we're more than just food, fuel and convenience. We're one giant family of diverse and talented Team Members. Our people are the heart and soul of our company. It's why we strive to create a nurturing environment that offers countless career opportunities to grow. Deep caring and solid family values are what makes us one of the top work places for jobs in the Greater Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus and Indianapolis Areas. From our Warehouses to our GetGo's, our grocery Stores through our Corporate home office, we are working together to put food on shoppers' tables and smiles on their faces. We're always searching for the best Team Members to welcome to our family. We invite you to join our Giant Eagle family. Come start a lasting career with us.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

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