Job Description

Pizzaiolo
Job Title: Pizzaiolo
Department: Kitchen / Pizza Station
Reports To: Sous Chef or Head Chef
Job Overview:
A Pizzaiolo is a specialized chef dedicated exclusively to the art of pizza making. This role requires a deep understanding of dough fermentation, sauce preparation, ingredient pairing, and the precise operation of high-temperature ovens (typically wood-fired or deck ovens). The Pizzaiolo is responsible for the entire pizza production process, from crafting the dough to the final bake, ensuring every pizza meets the highest standards of authenticity and quality.
Key Responsibilities:

• Dough Preparation: Mix, knead, and proof pizza dough according to established recipes and schedules, managing bulk fermentation and balling for optimal texture and flavor development.
• Station Mise en Place: Prepare all necessary ingredients for the pizza station, including sauces (e.g., tomato, bianca), cheeses, meats, and fresh vegetables, ensuring freshness and quality.
• Pizza Assembly & Baking: Stretch dough to order, top with ingredients, and skillfully bake pizzas in a high-heat oven, managing cooking times and oven positioning to achieve the perfect crust--crispy, charred, and chewy.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain consistent size, shape, and quality of every pizza, making visual and tactile assessments throughout the process.
• Oven Management: Maintain and manage the oven temperature, clean the oven deck, and ensure the fire (if wood-fired) is managed correctly for consistent heat.
• Inventory Management: Monitor stock levels of pizza-specific ingredients and communicate needs to the Sous Chef to prevent shortages.
• Recipe Adherence & Innovation: Faithfully execute the restaurant's signature pizzas while also contributing ideas for new and seasonal offerings.
• Sanitation: Maintain impeccable cleanliness of the pizza station, including surfaces, tools, and oven area, adhering to all health and safety standards.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience as a Pizzaiolo or in a dedicated pizza station.
• Expert knowledge of dough chemistry, fermentation, and gluten development.
• Proficiency in stretching dough by hand and using a wood-fired or deck oven.
• Ability to work in extreme heat and perform repetitive tasks with precision and speed.
• Keen eye for detail and a passion for the craft of traditional pizza making.
• Strong understanding of flavor profiles and ingredient pairing.
• Knowledge of food safety practices specific to dough and high-temperature cooking.

Skills Required