Artisan Pastry Chef – Luxury Cakes & Bespoke Desserts

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Pastry Chef for a boutique bakery in George, Western Cape, to specialise in bespoke cakes and intricate desserts for weddings and special occasions.

You will design, bake, and decorate high-end cakes, manage the pastry section, source ingredients, and maintain top hygiene standards while collaborating with clients and the sales team to realise their design briefs. Hybrid on-site work in George is required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years pastry chef experience with a strong cake decoration portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of baking principles, dough lamination, sugar work, chocolate tempering, and buttercream techniques.
• Excellent artistic ability with keen eye for cake decoration and presentation.
• Experience in managing pastry inventory, costing recipes, and controlling expenses.
• Strong communication and client consultation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, especially during peak seasons.
• Culinary or pastry arts education is advantageous; hybrid on-site/George.

Responsibilities

• Design, bake, and decorate high-end custom cakes, including tiered wedding cakes.
• Develop and refine pastry recipes for taste, texture, and appearance.
• Manage pastry section: sourcing, inventory control, and waste minimization.
• Maintain hygiene and food safety in pastry area per local regulations.
• Collaborate with clients and sales team to discuss briefs and flavours.
• Research and implement new cake decorating trends.
• Train junior pastry assistants and ensure workflow in pastry department.
• Prepare other pastries and baked goods as required.

Skills

Cake decoration

Pastry artistry

Inventory management

Client consultation

Work under pressure

Communication

Education

Culinary/pastry education

Tools

Sugar work

Chocolate tempering

Dough lamination

Buttercream techniques

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Pastry Chef for a boutique bakery in George, Western Cape, to specialise in bespoke cakes and intricate desserts for weddings and special occasions.

You will design, bake, and decorate high-end cakes, manage the pastry section, source ingredients, and maintain top hygiene standards while collaborating with clients and the sales team to realise their design briefs. Hybrid on-site work in George is required.