Head of pastry

Pt Leo Estate; Merricks; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula is seeking an exceptional Head of Pastry to lead and elevate the pastry program across Laura, Pt. Leo Restaurant, Cellar Door, and Wine Terrace, including events.

You will mentor a four-chef pastry team, develop distinctive seasonal menus with uncompromising artistry, and ensure exceptional presentation and production efficiency across all venues. This is a leadership role shaping the estate's pastry identity.

Qualifications

• You are an accomplished pastry professional with leadership experience at the highest level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the pastry program across Pt Leo Estate's multi-venue dining portfolio.
• Mentor a four-strong pastry team through clear standards and ongoing development.
• Ensure culinary excellence with consistent, precise, and beautifully presented desserts across fine dining, casual dining, and events.
• Drive production planning, cost controls, quality, and operational efficiency in pastry operations.
• Collaborate with senior culinary leadership to enhance the guest experience estate-wide.

Job description

Pt. Leo Estate is seeking an exceptional Head of Pastry to lead and elevate pastry across our diverse dining portfolio on the Mornington Peninsula.

From the precision and creativity of Laura, our two-hatted Relais & Châteaux restaurant, and Pt. Leo Restaurant, awarded one Chef Hat, to the seasonal offering at Cellar Door and the dynamic dining and events program at Wine Terrace, this role offers the opportunity to create a pastry identity that extends across the entire estate.

The Opportunity

Leading a team of four pastry chefs, you will own the direction and execution of our pastry program, balancing culinary ambition with the operational demands of a multi-venue estate.

Creative direction: Develop distinctive, seasonal menus that showcase technical skill, imagination and exceptional produce.

Leadership: Build a high-performing team through mentorship, clear standards and a culture of continuous development.

Culinary excellence: Deliver consistency, precision and outstanding presentation across fine dining, casual dining and events.

Commercial performance: Drive production planning, cost control, quality and operational efficiency.

Collaboration: Partner with senior culinary leadership to continually evolve the guest experience across every venue.

About You

You are an accomplished pastry professional with the creativity, technical mastery and leadership experience to operate at the highest level.

You bring a strong culinary point of view, an uncompromising eye for detail and the ability to translate ambitious ideas into consistently exceptional results. Equally comfortable developing a signature dessert as leading a team and managing complex production, you understand the balance between artistry and commercial performance.

Few hospitality destinations offer the diversity of Pt. Leo Estate. Set among coastal vineyards and an internationally recognised sculpture park, the estate brings together acclaimed dining, exceptional wine and a distinctive sense of place.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to influence an entire culinary offering, develop a talented team and leave a lasting mark on one of Australia’s most distinctive hospitality destinations.

We are looking for a leader who brings vision, demands excellence and takes pride in every detail.