Pastry Chef

Sodexo; Taunton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training and protective uniform

No unsociable hours and holidays off

Mental health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts and cashback benefits

Career progression and apprenticeships

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Sodexo at Kings College, Taunton, is seeking a Lead Pastry Chef to spearhead the pastry section and craft a wide range of pastries and desserts. You will work closely with the Executive Chef to develop seasonal menus and uphold the highest standards of quality, presentation and taste.

The role offers a 40-hour week, 6:15am-2:15pm or 11:45am-7:45pm shifts, with overtime opportunities. A dynamic kitchen culture and opportunities to mentor others are highlighted aspects.

Qualifications

• Creative and driven to continually develop pastry skills.
• Passionate about producing high-quality pastries, desserts, and baked goods.
• Organised, reliable and able to thrive in a busy kitchen environment.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
• Customer-focused, with a strong understanding of how great food enhances the overall dining experience.
• A positive team player who enjoys working collaboratively and supporting others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the pastry section, ensuring smooth, efficient, and high-quality production.
• Create, prepare, bake and present a wide variety of pastries, desserts, cakes, breads and sweet treats to exceptional standards.
• Work alongside the Executive Chef to develop innovative seasonal menus and exciting new pastry concepts.
• Manage pastry production to achieve excellent quality, consistency, and cost control.
• Ensure all products are prepared, presented, and served in line with Sodexo and King's College standards.
• Take ownership of food ordering, stock control, and ingredient management within the pastry section.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, allergen control, hygiene, and cleanliness.
• Support hospitality events, functions, and special occasions with creative and memorable pastry offerings.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative kitchen culture that values development, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Help inspire those around you by sharing knowledge, skills, and a passion for exceptional food.

Skills

Creative

Ambitious

Driven to develop pastry skills

Passionate about pastries

Organised

Customer-focused

Team player

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Taunton

Pastry Chef - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!

Location: Kings College, South Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3LA

Salary: £14.21 per hour
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 days out of 7

Shift Times: 6:15am - 2:15pm and 11:45am - 7:45pm

Full Time Contract with Overtime opportunities

Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a PastryChef for Sodexo at Kings College, Taunton,you will have the opportunity to put your stamp on an evolving and ambitious food offering. Working closely with the Executive Chef and wider catering team, you will lead the pastry section, creating everything from elegant desserts and handcrafted pastries to celebration cakes, breads, and special event offerings.

This role is ideal for someone who takes genuine pride in their craft and enjoys balancing creativity with consistency. You'll be encouraged to bring fresh ideas to the table, develop seasonal menus, and showcase modern pastry techniques while ensuring every product meets the highest standards of quality, presentation, and taste.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What You’ll Do:

Lead the day-to-day operation of the pastry section, ensuring smooth, efficient, and high-quality production.

Create, prepare, bake and present a wide variety of pastries, desserts, cakes, breads and sweet treats to exceptional standards.

Work alongside the Executive Chef to develop innovative seasonal menus and exciting new pastry concepts.

Manage pastry production to achieve excellent quality, consistency, and cost control.

Ensure all products are prepared, presented, and served in line with Sodexo and King's College standards.

Take ownership of food ordering, stock control, and ingredient management within the pastry section.

Maintain the highest standards of food safety, allergen control, hygiene, and cleanliness.

Support hospitality events, functions, and special occasions with creative and memorable pastry offerings.

Contribute positively to a collaborative kitchen culture that values development, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Help inspire those around you by sharing knowledge, skills, and a passion for exceptional food.

What You Bring:

We're looking for a chef who is passionate about pastry and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of catering at King's College.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Creative, ambitious, and driven to continually develop their skills.
• Passionate about producing high-quality pastries, desserts, and baked goods.
• Organised, reliable and able to thrive in a busy kitchen environment.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.
• Customer-focused, with a strong understanding of how great food enhances the overall dining experience.
• A positive team player who enjoys working collaboratively and supporting others.

What We Offer:

A dynamic and supportive work environment

Competitive salary and benefits

Full training and protective uniform provided

No unsociable hours and public holidays off—including Christmas!

Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support

Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits

Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships

Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities

At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!

Note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.