Pastry Demi Chef

Jikoni; Greater London; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Training and development

Team meals

Staff discount

Pension

Private health insurance

Job summary

Jikoni in London’s Marylebone is seeking a Talented Pastry Demi Chef to join our vibrant BOH team. You’ll support pastry production under the Executive Chef, learning our maternal cooking-inspired desserts and breads.

You’ll bring at least 1 year of pastry experience and a genuine curiosity for multicultural flavors, while upholding our high standards of cleanliness, consistency and teamwork in a fast-paced kitchen.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in pastry.

Responsibilities

• Support and manage day-to-day pastry preparation and execution.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and BOH team to deliver a smooth service.
• Assist in the preparation, baking, and finishing of desserts, breads, and pastry components.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and cleanliness.

Skills

Pastry

Job description

Founded in 2016 in Marylebone, Jikoni is a purpose-led restaurant and community-focused business founded on the belief that the purpose of a restaurant is to restore. We create warmth, generosity, and kindness through hospitality that transforms how people feel, drawing on multicultural culinary traditions and the wisdom of the maternal kitchen. Our approach, "Cooking Without Borders", celebrates diversity by sharing flavours, stories, and techniques from Asia, the Far East, India, the Middle East, and East Africa, bringing the nourishing, selfless essence of home-cooked meals to every guest.

Since our founding, Jikoni has grown steadily, both in its Marylebone location and through creative events such as building Jikoni at Frieze art fair in Regents Park each year and a Jikoni residency across the Fortnum & Mason store in 2025. We have just opened Café Jikoni, our new all-day café and restaurant project with the new V&A East Museum in Stratford's Olympic Park and are poised to open a vibrant new restaurant in Bloomsbury in late 2026.

Why Join Us?

• At our flagship site in Marylebone, Jikoni, we "cook without borders". Our food is a joyful celebration of maternal cooking, immigrant cuisine and pluralism. This includes a celebration of the rich culinary heritage of South Asia, the Far East, the Middle East, East Africa and Britain. As we grow, our core principles remain the same.
• We are a restorative business committed to our team, our guests, our planet and wider community. As the UK's first independent Carbon Neutral certified restaurant, and with an exclusive partnership with a biodynamic farm, our commitment to social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.
• Jikoni has consistently been recognised among the UK's best restaurants, appearing in the top 7 restaurants in London on the Nordic 360 Eat Guide (2024), Timeout's Top 100 London Restaurants (2023), SquareMeal's Top 100 Restaurants (2022), Harden's Best 100 UK Restaurants (2019), and the National Restaurant Awards (2017). Jikoni is also currently featured in Condé Nast Traveller's Best Restaurants in London and Timeout's London's Best Cafés.

What we're looking for

We’re seeking a talented and passionate Pastry Demi Chef to join our team. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Executive Chef and BOH team, playing an important part in our kitchen team. This is a hands-on role where you’ll support the development of a new restaurant, continue to learn and grow in a dynamic environment and contribute positively to a growing team by exemplifying our company values: (Multiculturalism & Pluralism, Integrity, Hospitality & Seva (Selfless Service), Excellence, and Entrepreneurialism).

• Emotional Skillset: You embody the qualities that define great hospitality: Kindness, Optimism, Self-Awareness, Curiosity, Integrity, and Empathy.
• Experience: At least 1 year of experience in pastry
• Values Alignment: You share our family values of Multiculturalism & Pluralism, Integrity, Hospitality & Seva (Selfless Service), Excellence, and Entrepreneurialism.
• Leadership & Ambition: A desire and drive to build and shape new channels of the business, contribute to a positive and supportive culture and build a career with us.
• Culinary Curiosity: A deep curiosity for our style of maternal cooking and immigrant cuisine and global flavours

Key responsibilities

• Support and manage the day-to-day preparation and execution of pastry, ensuring consistency, quality, and attention to detail.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and wider BOH team to deliver a smooth and efficient service.
• Assist in the preparation, baking, and finishing of desserts, breads, and pastry components in line with recipes and standards.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and organisation in line with health & safety regulations.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative kitchen environment
• Show care and respect for ingredients, minimising waste and using produce thoughtfully.

What we offer

• Career Progression: Opportunities for growth in a dynamic and progressive company and working directly with senior management and directors to grow your leadership, business and hospitality skills while contributing to business with a positive purpose.
• Unique Training: Go beyond the kitchen with visits and hands-on training with our biodynamic farm partner and specialist producers.
• Competitive Package and Team Benefits: Delicious and wholesome team meals, a 51% team discount at our restaurants upon passing probation, 28 days holiday, a company pension scheme and private health insurance plans for all team members.