Pastry Chef - Michelin Starred Chef

Search; Petworth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal share of gratuities

Job summary

Search is seeking a Pastry Chef for a fine dining restaurant with rooms in West Sussex. Working alongside an acclaimed Michelin-starred Chef, you’ll lead pastry and viennoiserie, delivering precision and creativity across tasting menus and à la carte.

The role emphasizes high-quality baked goods, laminated doughs, seasonal desserts and collaboration with a small brigade. A rewarding path with expansion plans and a strong focus on provenance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high-end pastry and viennoiserie.
• Background in fine dining and contemporary pastry plating.
• Experience with laminated doughs and baking.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional desserts, petit fours and pastry elements for tasting menus and à la carte service.
• Produce high-quality baked goods and viennoiserie with laminated doughs.
• Develop creative, seasonal desserts to suit the restaurant's style.
• Maintain high standards of flavour, texture, and presentation.
• Collaborate with Head Chef on menu development.

Skills

Fine dining experience

Pastry expertise

Viennoiserie

Menu development

Job description

Pastry Chef

Fine Dining Restaurant with Rooms | West Sussex

Package up to £47,000 (Salary + Equal Share of Gratuities)
Wednesday to Sunday | Monday & Tuesday Off

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an exceptional Pastry Chef to join one of West Sussex's most respected fine dining restaurants, working alongside an acclaimed Michelin-starred Chef.

We're looking for a pastry professional of the highest calibre, with a strong background in fine dining, a genuine passion for their craft and proven experience in both pastry and viennoiserie. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who takes real pride in their work, enjoys pushing creative boundaries and wants to be part of a kitchen where quality and attention to detail are non-negotiable.

You’ll be joining a small, ambitious brigade where craftsmanship, creativity and exceptional ingredients are at the heart of everything they do, alongside an excellent work-life balance.

The Restaurant

Nestled within the beautiful West Sussex countryside, this award-winning restaurant with luxury rooms has built an outstanding reputation for modern British cuisine, exceptional service and a genuine passion for provenance.

The kitchen works with the finest seasonal ingredients, creating elegant tasting menus and refined à la carte dishes that celebrate the very best of British produce. Pastry plays a vital role in the overall dining experience, with every element expected to demonstrate precision, creativity and consistency.

Alongside producing exceptional desserts and petit fours, you’ll bring a high level of technical skill to the pastry section, including experience with laminated doughs, viennoiserie and quality baking. The aim is to deliver a complete pastry offering that reflects the restaurant’s standards, from beautifully crafted desserts to expertly executed baked goods.

You’ll work closely with an experienced Michelin-starred Chef within a close-knit brigade of just five chefs, giving you the opportunity to contribute ideas, take ownership of your section and benefit from hands-on development.

It’s also a hugely exciting time to join the business. Approved expansion plans are already in place for a significant extension, including a second restaurant and an additional 10 luxury guest rooms. This investment offers genuine opportunities for career progression as the business continues to grow.

The Role

As Pastry Chef, you’ll take ownership of the restaurant’s pastry offering, delivering exceptional desserts, petit fours, baked goods and viennoiserie to complement its seasonal menus and high standards of modern British cooking.

You’ll be expected to bring creativity, technical ability and consistency to the role, with the confidence to work independently, contribute to menu development and maintain the highest standards across all aspects of pastry production.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional desserts, petit fours and pastry elements for tasting menus and à la carte service.
• Produce high-quality baked goods and viennoiserie, demonstrating strong technical knowledge of laminated doughs and baking methods.
• Develop creative, seasonal desserts that complement the restaurant’s culinary style.
• Maintain outstanding standards of flavour, texture, presentation and consistency.
• Work closely with the Head Chef and wider brigade on menu development and new ideas.
• Take ownership of pastry preparation, mise en place and service.
• Manage pastry stock, ordering and wastage, maintaining strong cost control.
• Ensure excellent food hygiene, allergen awareness and kitchen standards.
• Bring fresh ideas and a commitment to continual improvement across the pastry offering.
• Help maintain the restaurant’s reputation for exceptional food as the business continues to expand.

About You

• A highly skilled Pastry Chef with experience in Michelin-starred, 3 Rosette or similarly prestigious fine dining establishments.
• Strong technical experience across both pastry and viennoiserie, including baking and laminated doughs.
• Passionate about seasonal ingredients, quality produce and exceptional presentation.
• Creative and technically accomplished, with an excellent eye for detail.
• Comfortable taking ownership of a pastry section and delivering consistently high standards.
• Organised, disciplined and able to manage preparation and service within a small brigade.
• Ambitious, motivated and committed to refining your craft.
• Someone who takes real pride in their work and thrives in an environment where standards are exceptionally high.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.