Pastry Head Chef

Ottolenghi Chelsea; Greater London; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 33 days

Staff meals

Health plan

Refer a Friend bonus

Learning & Development

Inclusive culture

Parental pay

Birthday treat

Workshops & demos

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Ottolenghi Chelsea seeks a Head Pastry Chef to lead and inspire the pastry team, crafting innovative dishes in line with Ottolenghi’s flavour philosophy. You will oversee production, ensure top quality, and manage costs while collaborating with the broader kitchen and Test Kitchen teams.

The role demands strong leadership, creative pastry skills, and a passion for seasonality and presentation in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Pastry Chef in a high-quality, high-volume kitchen, 2+ years.
• Strong understanding of flavour, technique, and seasonality.
• Confident leadership with ability to develop and inspire a team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and motivate the pastry team to create a high-performing environment.
• Design and develop innovative dishes aligned with Ottolenghi flavour and seasonal ethos.
• Oversee production, quality control, and consistency across the pastry operation.
• Manage scheduling, ordering, stock control, and section organisation efficiently.
• Support menu development and seasonal launches with kitchen and Test Kitchen teams.
• Uphold standards of food safety, hygiene, and presentation.
• Manage food costs and contribute to budgeting and financial planning.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop junior pastry team members.

Skills

Pastry leadership

Pastry mastery

Food cost management

Production planning

Team coaching

Tools

Kitchen management software

IT systems in kitchen

Job description

At Ottolenghi, we’re known for vibrant food, busy delis, and restaurants full of energy—but what really matters is our people. We create environments where teams feel supported, take pride in what they do, and deliver a genuinely warm experience to every guest.

Ottolenghi Chelsea combines the beauty of our food with the vibrant energy of one of London's most iconic areas. Set on Pavilion road, our deli is a destination for food lovers from across the city.

What you’ll do

• Lead, train, and motivate the pastry team, creating a positive and high-performing environment.
• Design and develop innovative dishes aligned with Ottolenghi’s flavour philosophy and seasonal ethos.
• Oversee production, quality control, and consistency across the pastry operation.
• Manage scheduling, ordering, stock control, and section organisation efficiently.
• Support menu development, specials, and seasonal launches in collaboration with the wider kitchen and Test Kitchen teams.
• Uphold exceptional standards of food safety, hygiene, and presentation at all times.
• Manage food costs and contribute to budgeting and financial planning.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop junior pastry team members, building capability and confidence.
• Create a positive, respectful kitchen culture where teamwork, learning, and accountability are valued.
• Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to ensure a seamless, memorable guest experience.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience as a Head Pastry Chef in a high-quality, high-volume kitchen, 2 + years
• A creative mind with a strong understanding of flavour, technique, and seasonality.
• Confident leadership and the ability to develop and inspire a team.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Confidence working across multiple sites and managing production at scale.

Key skills

• Exceptional pastry and baking skills with a strong creative vision.
• Confident leadership with the ability to build and inspire a high-performing team.
• Strong commercial understanding, including food cost management and production planning.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Calm under pressure with a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
• Comfortable using relevant kitchen management and IT systems.
• A genuine passion for pastry, creativity, and the Ottolenghi ethos.

What’s in it for you?

• 33 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays
• Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount
• Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts
• Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral
• Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chef’s Academy workshops, and access to external courses
• A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated
• Enhanced Parental Pay after two years’ service
• A special birthday treat to celebrate your day
• Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen
• A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued

If you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we'd love to hear from you.