Pastry Chef

Sodexo Ltd; Taunton (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Full training and protective uniform

No unsociable hours and holidays off

Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering

Job summary

Sodexo Ltd in Taunton is seeking a Lead Pastry Chef to head the pastry section and elevate the dessert program at King's College. You will oversee daily pastry production, craft elegant desserts, and collaborate with the Executive Chef to bring seasonal menus to life.

The role emphasizes high quality, presentation, hygiene, and cost control, with a focus on innovation while maintaining the institution’s standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading pastry production in a high-volume kitchen.
• Able to balance creativity with consistency in pastry offerings.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and allergen controls.

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.

Skills

Pastry

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Job description

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

Pastry

Chef 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.