Head Chef

Soraya Restaurant; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full service charge distribution

Referral scheme with £300 bonus

Complimentary meals for all staff

Staff discount at group restaurants

28 days holiday (full-time)

On-the-job training

Job summary

Soraya Restaurant, a Persian-inspired concept from Pachamama Group, seeks an experienced Head Pastry Chef to lead the pastry section in a new London opening. You will craft desserts, supervise pastry staff and uphold high standards across the pastry department.

The role offers opportunities to influence menu development, maintain excellence, and collaborate with the wider kitchen team while enjoying comprehensive benefits. London location, immediate start for a mid-2026 opening.

Qualifications

• Previous pastry experience in a quality restaurant or hospitality setting.
• Strong pastry and dessert knowledge expected.
• Good attention to detail and presentation.
• Ability to follow recipes accurately and consistently.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Understanding of food safety and allergens.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce desserts, pastry and bakery items to company recipes and standards.
• Ensure consistent taste, texture, portioning and presentation.
• Complete daily mise en place and ensure sufficient preparation for service.
• Maintain excellent organisation and cleanliness of the pastry section.
• Follow recipes and plating guides accurately.
• Check quality, freshness and storage of all pastry ingredients.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate ordering requirements.
• Control waste and use ingredients efficiently.
• Follow FIFO, labelling, allergen and food-safety procedures.
• Ensure all equipment is used correctly and maintained.
• Support menu development, tastings and creation of new desserts.
• Work closely with Head Chefs and the wider kitchen team.
• Assist with training junior chefs and maintaining standards across the section.
• Support other Pachamama Group restaurants when required.

Skills

Pastry expertise

Dessert knowledge

Attention to detail

Recipe following

Organisation

Time management

Food safety & allergens

Calm under pressure

Team player & communication

Job description

Pachamama Group was set up in October 2014 with a mission to introduce inspiring hospitality concepts across the globe by doing it our way and making the impossible possible. Each restaurant concept is built to be a space where guests can enjoy offerings from diverse locales, in an environment that takes them away on a culinary journey.

Soraya, Persian-inspired, arrives as a continuation of 971 Hospitality’s world by Pachamama Group. Opening is due mid July 2026. This is your chance to take a part in an exciting new opening. At its heart, Soraya is about sharing. It offers guests an exceptional culinary experience, celebrating the rich and vibrant flavours of Persian cuisine in an exquisite setting. Soraya’s menu is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, designed to delight and encourage communal feasting. Signature dishes such as Mast O Khair, Lamb Koobideh, Chicken Joujeh, and Ghaymeh Bedemjan highlight traditional Persian recipes, while innovative plates showcase the team’s genius. Prepared with utmost precision, the succulent skewers of marinated meats and vegetables are served on meticulously chosen crockery and silverware that transport diners straight to the heart of Tehran.

As our Head Pastry Chef, we except you to contribute to our mission of introducing inspiring hospitality concepts to the London restaurant scene and across the globe. Our philosophy is to do it our way and make the impossible possible.

As an experienced Head Pastry Chef, we trust in your ability to step into our vibrant restaurant environment and hit the ground running, leveraging your proven skills and management expertise.

Theresponsibilities would be familiar to you:

• Prepare and produce desserts, pastry and bakery items to company recipes and standards.
• Ensure consistent taste, texture, portioning and presentation.
• Complete daily mise en place and ensure sufficient preparation for service.
• Maintain excellent organisation and cleanliness of the pastry section.
• Follow recipes, specifications and plating guides accurately.
• Check quality, freshness and storage of all pastry ingredients.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate ordering requirements.
• Control waste and use ingredients efficiently.
• Follow FIFO, labelling, allergen and food-safety procedures.
• Ensure all equipment is used correctly and maintained properly.
• Support menu development, tastings and creation of new desserts.
• Work closely with Head Chefs and the wider kitchen team.
• Assist with training junior chefs and maintaining standards across the section.
• Support other Pachamama Group restaurants when required.

Requirements

• Previous experience in a pastry position within a quality restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Strong pastry and dessert knowledge.
• Good attention to detail and presentation.
• Ability to follow recipes accurately and consistently.
• Good organisation and time-management skills.
• Understanding of food safety, allergens and kitchen hygiene.
• Ability to work calmly during busy services.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn and develop.
• Strong team player with good communication skills.

For the Head Pastry Chef role, we offer the following benefits and opportunities:

• Attractive salary based on your skills and experience.
• Full Service Charge distribution.
• Referral scheme with a £300 bonus for a successful candidate.
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all employees.
• Generous staff discount at all group’s restaurants.
• 28 days of holiday for a full time employee, ensuring a balanced professional and personal life.

Other benefits include

• Comprehensive on-the-job training to enhance your skills and knowledge.
• A friendly and positive work environment fostering respect and teamwork.
• Psychological, financial and legal support available through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Salary paid monthly – on the last Friday of each month.
• Wagestream access, allowing you to stream up to 50% of your earnings at any time.
• Pension scheme with a 3% employer contribution.
• Opportunities for career development, regular appraisals to discuss progress and perspectives.

As our Head Pastry Chef, we hope that you will contribute to our mission of introducing exciting, diverse and playful dining concepts to the London restaurant scene. Our philosophy is to be the best, we continuously improve and never settle.