Pastry Chef/ Baker

Houston & Hawkes; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a prestigious catering company as a Pastry Chef in Central London, where your culinary creativity will shine. This role offers the chance to craft exceptional pastries, breads, and desserts for a vibrant campus community. You'll lead the pastry section, manage custom orders, and collaborate with a talented team to deliver delightful dining experiences. With a commitment to excellence and a dynamic work environment, this opportunity is perfect for those passionate about food and eager to showcase their skills. Enjoy a range of benefits including free meals, a contributory pension scheme, and recognition awards as you grow in your culinary career.

Benefits

Free meals at work

Contributory pension scheme

Free access to Employee Assistance Programme

Company events including Christmas party

Uniform provided

28 days holiday including bank holidays

Recognition schemes and people awards

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Day off on your birthday

Referral bonuses

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of baking and pastry-making techniques.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to provide clear instructions.
• Experience as a pastry chef within contract catering or hotels.

Responsibilities

• Create and design custom-made desserts and pastries.
• Manage the pastry section, ensuring a successful working environment.
• Develop new and exciting desserts for fine dining and coffee menus.

Skills

Baking Techniques

Pastry Decoration

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

Food Safety Awareness

Creativity

Organizational Skills

Knowledge of Hospitality Industry

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Knowledge of Sanitation Principles

Education

Certificate in Culinary Arts

Relevant Field Qualifications

Tools

Baking Equipment

Kitchen Equipment

Job description

Job role: Pastry Chef

Location: Central London

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000

Are you a talented Pastry Chef with a passion for crafting both sweet and savoury desserts? Join our team at a prestigious client site in the heart of London where you’ll take the lead in producing exceptional pastries, breads, and desserts for a vibrant campus community.

From everyday dining to fine dining events, this role offers the opportunity to showcase your creativity and expertise.

Pastry Chef Duties:

• Create various pastries, breads and other confections by following recipes
• Decorate pastries using a variety of different icings and toppings
• Order new supplies, ingredients, and equipment for the kitchen’s pastry section
• Create and design custom-made desserts and pastries according to client specifications
• Create and prepare recipes for a wide range of goods, such as breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, and pies
• Develop new and exciting desserts for our fine dining, restaurants and coffee menus
• Manage the pastry section, liaising with the Head and Sous chef to ensure a successful working environment
• Meet with General Manager & Hospitality Manager to discuss custom-made desserts and pastries for special events
• Ensure the pastry section adheres to all safety and health regulations
• Monitor the stock of baking ingredients and equipment

Pastry Chef Requirements:

• A genuine passion for food
• Knowledge of the Hospitality industry
• Knowledge and ability to run a section
• Possess the ability to work under pressure
• Extensive knowledge of baking, bread & pastry-making techniques
• Artistic skill in decorating desserts
• In-depth knowledge of sanitation principles and food preparation standards
• Strong leadership skills and an ability to provide clear instructions to other members
• Familiarity with a range of baking and other kitchen equipment
• Excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm for teamwork
• Certificate in culinary arts, pastry-making, or relevant field
• Experience as a pastry chef within contract catering or 5 star hotel
• Strong sense of culinary creativity with attention to detail
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Experience baking with ingredient limitations, such as gluten-free and sugarless pastries
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Food Safety awareness
• Allergen Awareness

Pastry Chef Additional Benefits:

• Free meals at work
• Contributory pension scheme
• Free access to the company Employee Assistant Programme
• Company events including all company Christmas party
• Uniform provided
• 28 days holiday including bank holidays
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Family-friendly support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and adoption leave
• Day off on your birthday
• Referral bonuses

Who We Are:

Houston & Hawkes is a young and dynamic independent caterer based in the South East. We are proud to be an award-winning company, ranked among the top 30 companies to work for in the hospitality industry, and a certified B Corp company. We believe in creating memorable experiences for our customers through our vibrant, creative, and sustainable food offerings. We operate coffee bars, staff restaurants, and delis, tailored to our clients’ hospitality and event needs. Committed to social responsibility, passionate about Great British produce and dedicated to our talented teams.

Join Houston & Hawkes and be part of a team that values excellence, creativity, and professional growth.