Sous Chef Pastry

Silversea; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Silversea is seeking a seasoned Pastry Chef to lead all pastry and bakery operations aboard our luxury vessels. You will supervise pastry teams, ensure top quality and presentation, and coordinate with restaurant management to meet guest expectations across all dining experiences.

The role requires STCW95 certification, 4+ years of high-end pastry experience, and fluency in English. You will play a key part in menu development, safety, and compliance with public health standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in a similar position at an International 5-star establishment.
• Excellent fluent English.
• Valid STCW95 certification.
• Knowledge and experience of Public Health policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise all pastry and bakery operations, ensuring high standards of quality, presentation, and productivity for guests and crew.
• Manage the preparation and production of pastries, desserts, bakery items, and specialty products for all service periods and events.
• Assist the Pastry Chef with menu planning, recipe development, and maintenance of recipe manuals.

Skills

4+ years pastry experience

Excellent English

Education

STCW95 certification

Job description

1. Responsible for delivering high quality, efficient, individualized and technically excellent pastry preparation in accordance with Company Policies, strictly upholding any Public Health standards and towards a goal of achieving total guest satisfaction.

Reporting Structure

1. Reporting to the Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef and Pastry Chef.

2. Subordinates – Confectioner and Assistant Pastry Chefs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise all pastry and bakery operations, ensuring the highest standards of product quality, consistency, presentation, and productivity for both guests and crew.
• Manage the preparation and production of pastries, desserts, bakery items, and specialty products for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, crew dining, and special events.
• Assist the Pastry Chef with menu planning, recipe development, maintenance of recipe manuals, and adherence to the company menu cycle.
• Coordinate and fulfill guest special requests, dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances, and ingredient restrictions while maintaining exceptional service standards.
• Organize daily pastry operations, including staff scheduling, station assignments, menu briefings, and ensuring all setups are completed on schedule.
• Monitor food preparation to ensure strict adherence to company recipes, production quantities, execution methods, taste standards, and presentation requirements.
• Conduct regular quality control through food inspections, tasting, and mise en place monitoring to ensure consistency across all pastry outlets.
• Prepare and oversee pastry displays, buffet showpieces, show plates, themed presentations, and support cooking demonstrations, guest chef programs, and pastry demonstrations.
• Coordinate daily operations with Restaurant Managers, Maîtres d’, and other departments to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Manage requisitions, inventory control, food forecasting, equipment inventories, and cost control measures while minimizing food waste and maximizing efficiency.
• Ensure proper food storage, handling, transportation, temperature monitoring, and record keeping in accordance with company procedures and Public Health standards.
• Lead and enforce sanitation, food safety, pest management, and Public Health compliance programs, ensuring readiness for all internal and external inspections.
• Maintain pastry facilities and equipment through proper use, preventative maintenance, repair reporting, and follow-up of maintenance requests.
• Train, mentor, supervise, and evaluate pastry team members, including onboarding new employees and conducting technical, service, sanitation, and Public Health training.
• Communicate performance expectations, maintain accurate training records, and foster continuous professional development within the pastry team.
• Promote a positive work environment through effective leadership, teamwork, confidentiality, professionalism, and collaboration with all departments onboard.
• Monitor guest satisfaction, proactively resolve service issues, respond to complaints, and ensure personalized hospitality and memorable guest experiences.
• Prepare operational reports, communicate significant issues and observations to the Pastry Chef and Executive Chef, and ensure timely follow-up on identified concerns.
• Enforce compliance with Company policies, Standard Operating Procedures, Code of Conduct, uniform standards, and grooming requirements.
• Perform any additional duties assigned by the Pastry Chef, Executive Chef, or management to support overall galley and vessel operations.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Valid STCW95 certification.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience in a similar position at an International 5-star establishment.
• Good knowledge of international cuisine.
• Must display the ability to pay close attention to detail and desire to take pride in one’s work.
• Knowledge and experience of Public Health policies and procedures.
• Ability to read, interpret and demonstrate culinary fundamentals.
• Physically and medically fit.

Language requirements:

• Excellent fluent English (verbal and written). English is the working and safety language on board Silversea vessels. This also includes the ability to give and receive instructions in verbal and written forms and to effectively and efficiently engage with guests and crew members.