Pastry Chef Jobs for OPT Students
Pastry Chef jobs on OPT are available at restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and catering companies, many of which sponsor H-1B visas for skilled culinary talent. Your F-1 OPT gives you up to 12 months of work authorization, with STEM extension not applicable to this field, so timing your job search and visa transition matters.
See All Pastry Chef JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 80+ Pastry Chef jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 80+ Pastry Chef jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Pastry Chef roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!
Job Description
The University of Notre Dame Operations, Events, and Safety (UOES) division is currently hiring for a full-time Demi Sous Pastry Chef in our campus Hospitality department. The UOES division oversees the University's event management, hospitality, and customer service functions, while also supporting student life, academic initiatives, research activities, and annual milestone celebrations.
Demi Sous Pastry Chef
The Demi Sous Chef is a skilled and experienced culinary position responsible for administration and coordination of an operational plan while following accepted culinary practices. Why this position? As a Demi Sous Pastry Chef with the University of Notre Dame, you will have the opportunity to support the mission and goals of a “Best in Class” dining program. We look for individuals that not only want to be a part of the Notre Dame community, but also want to influence future generations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead culinary team and administrate/coordinate operational plan
- Evaluate employee knife skills and identify areas of improvement
- Facilitate training, staff scheduling, cooking timelines and production schedules
- Inspect food to ensure it meets standards of quality and impart expectations of quality to production staff.
- Directly oversee the team's daily sanitation procedures of all kitchen equipment and facilities
- Assist with purchasing and maintain inventories
The University of Notre Dame is proud to be ranked #1 on the Forbes Best Large Employer list, a recognition that reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where you’ll feel welcomed, supported, and truly valued as part of our beloved community.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of professional baking/pastry experience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented kitchen environment.
- Strong attention to detail with an unwavering commitment to cleanliness and organization
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Positive attitude and a team-first mindset
Additional Information
Pay Rate: $19.75-$23.00/hr
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.
Company Description
The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!
Job Description
The University of Notre Dame Operations, Events, and Safety (UOES) division is currently hiring for a full-time Demi Sous Pastry Chef in our campus Hospitality department. The UOES division oversees the University's event management, hospitality, and customer service functions, while also supporting student life, academic initiatives, research activities, and annual milestone celebrations.
Demi Sous Pastry Chef
The Demi Sous Chef is a skilled and experienced culinary position responsible for administration and coordination of an operational plan while following accepted culinary practices. Why this position? As a Demi Sous Pastry Chef with the University of Notre Dame, you will have the opportunity to support the mission and goals of a “Best in Class” dining program. We look for individuals that not only want to be a part of the Notre Dame community, but also want to influence future generations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead culinary team and administrate/coordinate operational plan
- Evaluate employee knife skills and identify areas of improvement
- Facilitate training, staff scheduling, cooking timelines and production schedules
- Inspect food to ensure it meets standards of quality and impart expectations of quality to production staff.
- Directly oversee the team's daily sanitation procedures of all kitchen equipment and facilities
- Assist with purchasing and maintain inventories
The University of Notre Dame is proud to be ranked #1 on the Forbes Best Large Employer list, a recognition that reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where you’ll feel welcomed, supported, and truly valued as part of our beloved community.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years of professional baking/pastry experience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented kitchen environment.
- Strong attention to detail with an unwavering commitment to cleanliness and organization
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
- Positive attitude and a team-first mindset
Additional Information
Pay Rate: $19.75-$23.00/hr
The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Pastry Chef
Frame your specialization as a competitive differentiator
Employers sponsor visas when they can't easily find that skill domestically. Highlight niche expertise like French patisserie, viennoiserie, or chocolate work. Specific technical skills strengthen the case that you offer something genuinely hard to replace.
Raise OPT early, not at the offer stage
Bring up your work authorization status during initial conversations, not after receiving an offer. Employers who aren't open to sponsorship will save you time, and those who are can begin planning for the H-1B timeline alongside your hire.
Apply before your OPT start date arrives
Processing your EAD takes time. Start your job search at least 90 days before your program ends so you have authorization in hand when a role begins. Gaps between degree completion and employment start can create compliance issues.
Build a portfolio that travels across borders
A strong visual portfolio of plated desserts, pastry techniques, and signature creations helps employers evaluate your skill remotely. Culinary roles are hands-on, so documented evidence of your work replaces what a local reference network provides.
Look for employers who have sponsored before
Prior H-1B sponsorship history is the strongest signal an employer will do it again. Use Migrate Mate to find Pastry Chef roles at companies with a demonstrated track record of supporting international culinary professionals through the visa process.
Pastry Chef jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Pastry Chef JobsSee all 80+ Pastry Chef jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Pastry Chef roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Pastry Chef on F-1 OPT?
Yes. F-1 OPT authorizes you to work in a role directly related to your field of study, which for culinary arts or baking and pastry programs covers Pastry Chef positions. Your EAD card is your work authorization document, and your employer does not need to file any petition for you during your OPT period.
Does a Pastry Chef role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Pastry Chef positions fall under CIP code 12.0501 (Baking and Pastry Arts) and SOC codes in food preparation, neither of which appears on the STEM designated degree program list. Your OPT authorization is limited to 12 months. Planning your H-1B sponsorship timeline well before that window closes is essential.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor a Pastry Chef for an H-1B visa?
Luxury hotel groups, fine dining restaurant chains, and large catering corporations are the most consistent H-1B sponsors in culinary fields. They have legal infrastructure to manage petitions and recurring hiring needs for skilled pastry talent. Browse Pastry Chef listings on Migrate Mate to find roles at employers with sponsorship history.
Can I change Pastry Chef employers while on OPT?
Yes, but the new role must still relate directly to your field of study. You must report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days, and your SEVP portal record must reflect the update. Unemployment periods count against your OPT, so coordinate your start dates carefully to avoid gaps that erode your remaining authorized time.
What happens to my Pastry Chef job if my OPT expires before H-1B is approved?
If your employer files an H-1B cap-subject petition before April 1 and you maintain valid OPT through October 1, your status bridges automatically under cap-gap protection. If your OPT expires before cap-gap kicks in or before an approval, you cannot continue working. Monitoring your OPT end date and H-1B petition timing is critical to staying compliant.
See which Pastry Chef employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Pastry Chef Jobs