Head Pastry Chef

Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa; Dartford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa seeks a Pastry Section Lead responsible for leading the pastry team and creating exquisite desserts in a 2 AA Rosette standard restaurant. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in pastry and exhibit strong leadership, creativity, and management skills to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in a quality environment with pastry section responsibility.
• Ability to develop a high-performing team.
• Demonstrated practical ability to produce high-standard plated desserts.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor the pastry team.
• Design seasonal menu items for restaurant and banqueting.
• Collaborate with Head Chef to enhance dining experiences.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Flair and creativity

Tools

Ordering systems

Job description

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Position: Pastry Section Lead

Reporting to Andres Garcia, our Head Chef, you will be leading the pastry section with the support of a Pastry Chef de Partie, working 45 hours, 5 days per week including weekends.

The kitchen brigade is made up of 12 chefs and 4 kitchen porters.

Responsibilities:

1. Supervise, mentor, and motivate the team to produce high-quality, visually stunning, and delicious creations.
2. Design and implement seasonal and creative menu items with the Head Chef for RG's restaurant, afternoon tea, and banqueting menus, aiming for 2 Rosette standard.
3. Work closely with the Head Chef and Food & Beverage team to craft desserts that enhance the overall dining experience in the 2 AA rosette awarded restaurant, catering events, and special occasions.

Business Overview:

The business offers catering for Spa Guests, Leisure clients, Local guests, as well as corporate, conference, and banqueting guests. Rowhill is a popular wedding venue with weddings in the thatched Clockhouse located in the grounds.

Business Levels and Menu Offerings:

Afternoon Tea: ??? covers per week

Weddings: ??? approximately 90 weddings per year

Elements Brasserie: Informal drinks/dining area for 30 covers, part of the Cocktail Bar

Requirements:

• Experience in a quality environment with responsibility for the pastry section.
• Ability to support and develop a high-performing team.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Experience with ordering systems, cost control, and achieving targets.
• Create a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment aligned with company values of care, respect, and integrity.
• Demonstrate flair and creativity to enhance the afternoon tea menu.
• Manage multi-menu requirements and busy banqueting operations.
• Prove practical ability to produce plated desserts to 2 Rosette standard during a trial shift.

The Place:

Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa, part of Alexander Hotels, located just outside London. A 4-star, award-winning hotel with 38 bedrooms, offering Elements Brasserie and RG's Restaurant serving 2 Rosette standard food. Facilities include the self-contained Clockhouse banqueting suite and Pavilion conference venue within 15 acres of gardens.

Visit our website for full details of facilities, restaurants, and sample menus.

Our venues are popular for weddings, conferences, and functions, with offerings for both residents and non-residents, including Spa packages.