Executive Pastry Sous Chef

Raffles Hotels & Resorts; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days holiday incl bank holidays + 1

Staff meals on duty

Free dry cleaning for uniform

Employer pension contribution 3%

Enhanced sick pay

Life Assurance 1x salary

Employee assistance program

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted Accor/Raffles F&B rates

Job summary

Raffles London OWO is seeking a hands-on Pastry Kitchen Leader to oversee operations, menu development, and staff development across our pastry outlets. You will mentor junior staff, collaborate with FOH and beverage teams, and ensure the highest standards of service in a luxury environment.

Working closely with the Executive Pastry Chef, you will develop seasonal menus, train staff, and uphold health and safety standards across the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Recent experience in a multi-outlet venue or 5-star hotel.
• Market knowledge of competitors and event industry trends.
• Strong food and beverage knowledge.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to delivering the best service in any situation.
• Able to work with and lead a team.
• Detail-oriented and consistent.
• Proven track record delivering high levels of service under pressure.
• Exceptional written and spoken communication skills.
• Willingness to contribute to a 24h operational schedule when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage pastry kitchen operations across multiple outlets.
• Develop seasonal menus with the executive pastry chef.
• Mentor and coach junior staff; conduct regular one-to-ones and appraisals.
• Maintain stock control and ensure cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with front-of-house and beverage teams to ensure luxury service.
• Involve in menu engineering to maximise pastry sales.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and SOP adherence.
• Lead development of menus and dishes in line with SOPs and timelines.

Skills

Multi-outlet venue

5-star hotel

F&B knowledge

Leadership

Team management

Attention to detail

Work under pressure

Communication skills

Time management

24h operations

Job description

Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Raffles is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future. Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment.

Company Description

Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Raffles is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future. Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment.

About Raffles London

Raffles London at The OWO on London’s Whitehall, unites the allure and heritage of Raffles with one of the world’s most historic addresses with a name is synonymous with luxury, glamour, and extraordinary adventure.

This fine Grade II* listed Edwardian building has been transformed with 120 rooms and suites along with a collection of 85 exceptional branded residences. Within The OWO destination there are a total of nine restaurants and three bars, including one by our signature chef Mauro Colagreco. The Guerlain spa and Pillar Wellness offer the latest in wellbeing, and a 600 seated-capacity grand ballroom, The Whitehall, is perfect for all kinds of special occasions and events.

Within these much-storied walls, where legendary statesmen and women once shaped the modern world, guests are now invited to discover new and inspiring emotions and connections.

At Raffles, you arrive as a guest, leave as a friend and return as family.

Job Description

Scope Of Position

Your role will be responsible for leading and managing the pastry kitchen operations within the Raffles London OWO. Responsible for ensuring all food is produced and served in line with the Raffles standard of excellence whilst adhering to health and safety legislation. You will work in close contact with all food and beverage outlet teams to ensure smooth and consistent service and the ability to pre-empt and deliver a luxurious and high-quality level of service whilst managing time and service targets. Working with the executive pastry chef to develop and create seasonal menus for all Raffles outlets. Giving training and mentorship to junior staff assisting with training and development.

Responsibilities

Operation

• Ensuring steps of service, recipe standards and cost control measures are met and adhered to.
• Ensuring the kitchen team is fully engaged with our values and kitchen culture.
• Maintaining and running of the pastry kitchen, taking responsibility for all production and service.
• Training, and managing all members of pastry kitchen team, setting targets, developing skills and undertaking regular one on ones and appraisals.
• Detailed and precise communication with staff and guests in a friendly and professional manner.
• Work closely with the front of house and beverage teams.
• Maintain stock control, ensuring that stock levels are in line with company requirements.
• Involvement in production and development of dishes for all outlets, maintaining standards, through regular menu engineering maximise potential of Kitchen sales.
• Take a leading role in the development of menus and dishes is as per SOP and completed in a timely period.
• Collating recipes for new dishes, involved in cost control and implementation of seasonal menus.
• Maintaining discipline in the department whilst setting an example and mentoring junior staff. Monitoring training of all members of kitchen staff and assessing progress.
• Involvement in projects for benefit of kitchen advancement.
• Ensuring correct storage and labelling of food stuffs, equipment, and dry goods in all kitchen areas by people responsible
• Ensuring correct stock rotation of food and ordering food goods from suppliers.
• Checking and ordering of equipment via correct channels.
• Report the need for maintenance of equipment via correct channels.
• Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned including working in a different department or restaurant, than usually assigned.

Leadership

• To be a hands-on leader and mentor for your team and the wider hotel.
• To manage and take responsibilities for the coaching and development of the kitchen team, including conducting regular one-to-ones and annual appraisals.
• To attend and represent the department at management meetings etc as required.
• To support the team and assist with trouble shooting and resolving client and guest challenges as needed.
• To strive for high standards across the department and to suggest and implement improvements where needed.
• Ensuring composure under pressure and providing leadership and guidance to the Team when required.
• Actively encouraging and promoting employees to be creative and innovative, whilst recognising them for their contributions to the success of the operation.

Health and Safety

• Ensure that all potential and real hazards are reported immediately and rectified.
• Be fully conversant with all departmental Fire, Emergency and Bomb procedures.
• Ensure the safety of the persons and the property of all within the premises, by strict adherence to existing laws, statues and applicable ordinances, and by anticipating possible and probable hazards and conditions and either correcting them or pre-planning a defence against them.
• Stimulate and encourage a general awareness of Health and Safety in relation to all tasks and activities undertaken in the department.

Qualifications

Essential

• Recent experience within a multi outlet venue or 5-star hotel.
• Market knowledge of competitors and event industry trends
• Strong food and beverage knowledge
• Enthusiasm and commitment to delivering and offering the best service and experiences possible in any situation.
• Able to work with and lead a team.
• To be detail-oriented and consistent.
• A proven track record and ability to provide high levels of service under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task while maintaining an immaculate and professional appearance.
• An understanding and willingness to contribute to a 24h operational schedule when required.

Desirable

• Previous experience managing or supervising a team.
• An understanding of the luxury sector.
• A passion for hospitality and an understanding of the UHNW customer.
• Previous experience within a luxury hotel environment working with LQA, Forbes 5* or equivalent standards.

Employee Benefits

• 31 days holiday including bank holidays plus a day extra for every year of your service up to 5 years (35 Days).
• Staff meals whist on duty.
• Free dry cleaning for uniform.
• Employer pension contribution of 3%
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Life Assurance 1x salary
• Employee assistance program, including virtual GP and financial advice.
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme.
• Colleague gifting to celebrate special occasions.
• Paid days off to move house or give back time to a charity of your choice.
• Internal learning and development programmes tailored to you.
• Fun-filled events, whether that’s a pub quiz, team run or festive party.
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates of up to 30% at Accor worldwide and Raffles London F&B outlets.
• Worldwide development opportunities across Accor’s extensive brand portfolio.

Our Values

Respect

We value the needs, ideas and individuality of others. We treat everyone with fairness and dignity.

Excellence

We make genuine connections, and we cherish every opportunity to make the people around us feel special.

Belonging

We celebrate our differences. We support each other and we always stand together.

Empowerment

We have authority to take initiative and anticipate moments that create unforgettable experiences.

Integrity

We build trust through mutual respect and being authentic.

Diversity & Inclusion

Raffles is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse talent thrives. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join our team.

About the Application Process

At Raffles, we want to bring out your highest potential. Shortly after applying, you will receive an email from our partner AssessFirst prompting you to create a profile and complete a questionnaire. This is a mandatory step for your candidacy to be considered as it enables us to explore your compatibility with this role and our culture of luxury excellence.