Baker Position Job Description
King’s Famous Barbecue Location: 2910 S Crater Rd, Petersburg, VA 23805
Job Type: Full-time / Part-time (Flexible shifts, including early mornings for baking, weekends, and support during service hours)
Reports to: Kitchen Manager, Operations Manager, or Owners
King’s Famous Barbecue is a historic Petersburg landmark founded in 1946, renowned for its authentic Virginia-style pit-smoked barbecue — pork shoulders, beef, and chicken — slow-cooked over oak wood, hand-chopped to order, and served with our signature sauce and homemade Southern sides. A key highlight of the menu has always been our homemade desserts, including fresh apple pie (made with York imperial apples, cinnamon, and sugar) and pecan pie, baked daily from scratch in our own ovens, along with supporting items like biscuits for party packs and dinners. After a 30-month closure, the restaurant is preparing to reopen in 2026, with owner Matt Keeler leading the revival. The Baker is a skilled, passionate role focused on producing our signature homemade pies, biscuits, and any other baked goods to maintain the from-scratch quality that complements our legendary barbecue and keeps generations of customers coming back.
Key Responsibilities
- Bake fresh desserts daily, including homemade apple pies and pecan pies, following traditional family recipes for consistent flavor, texture, and presentation
- Prepare and bake buttermilk biscuits in batches for party packs, dinners, and sides — ensuring they are light, flaky, and served warm
- Mix, portion, and bake other potential baked items (e.g., hush puppy batter prep support if needed, or any future menu additions)
- Measure ingredients precisely, prepare doughs/crusts from scratch, and handle filling assembly (e.g., slicing apples, mixing pecan fillings)
- Monitor oven temperatures, baking times, and doneness to achieve perfect results every time
- Portion, cool, slice, and package pies for dine-in, carryout, or whole pie sales
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary baking station, including proper storage of ingredients and rotation using FIFO
- Assist with inventory checks for baking supplies (flour, sugar, fruits, nuts, etc.), notify management of needs, and help receive deliveries
- Follow strict food safety and sanitation standards, including temperature control, allergen awareness, and thorough cleaning of ovens, mixers, and tools
- Collaborate with the kitchen team (prep cooks, line cooks) to time baked goods for peak service and minimize waste
- Perform opening/closing duties for the baking area, including setup, breakdown, dish washing, and deep cleaning
Requirements & Qualifications
- Previous baking, pastry, or bakery experience preferred (especially with pies, biscuits, or Southern-style baked goods), but we provide training for dedicated, skilled candidates!
- Strong knowledge of baking techniques, dough handling, oven management, and recipe scaling for consistency
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment, often starting early for fresh daily production
- Detail-oriented with a passion for from-scratch baking and pride in homemade quality
- Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented — we’re a family-run business rebuilding together
- Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift 50+ lbs (bags of flour, trays, etc.), and work in a warm oven environment
- Basic food safety knowledge (food handler’s certification or willingness to obtain one required)
- Enthusiasm for authentic Virginia barbecue traditions and excitement about contributing to the 2026 reopening
What You Can Expect
- Join the revival of an 80-year-old Petersburg icon — help bring back those famous homemade pies that fans have missed!
- Free or discounted meals during shifts
- Competitive pay for the area
- Flexible scheduling in a close-knit, family-oriented kitchen
- Opportunities to cross-train or expand into other prep/kitchen roles as we grow post-reopening
- Pride in crafting the sweet finishes that pair perfectly with our pit-smoked meats and keep the King’s legacy alive
If you’re a talented baker who loves creating homemade Southern desserts from scratch and wants to be part of the exciting 2026 reopening of King’s Famous Barbecue, this position is a sweet opportunity to join our dedicated family team!