Head Chocolatier & Pastry Chef for Premium Confectionery

Capsicum Culinary Studio; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Jack Rabbit Chocolate in Johannesburg seeks a qualified Pastry Chef or Chef with proven chocolatier experience to join our production team. You will produce premium chocolate products, applying pastry techniques to temper, mould, fill, and finish confections, with a focus on quality and consistency.

The role is hands-on, requires 5+ years' experience, and involves recipe development, scaling for small-batch and large production, and ensuring food safety and housekeeping standards.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Pastry Arts or related culinary discipline.
• 5+ years’ professional experience as a Pastry Chef or Chef.
• Hands-on experience with chocolate production and confectionery.
• Knowledge of tempering, crystallisation, moulding, ganache, fillings.
• Experience in scaling recipes and production planning.
• Ability to work in a professional pastry/kitchen environment.
• Attention to food safety, hygiene, allergen management, and shelf-life.

Responsibilities

• Produce a wide range of premium chocolate and confectionery products.
• Apply pastry and culinary techniques to chocolate production.
• Temper chocolate accurately using manual and tempering equipment.
• Prepare and execute chocolate and pastry-based recipes to spec.
• Operate pastry, chocolate-making, and culinary equipment safely.
• Monitor temperature, texture, crystallisation, and shelf life.
• Develop innovative products, flavours, textures, and finishes.
• Scale recipes for small-batch and larger production.
• Document ingredients, yields, wastage, and completed products.
• Support stock control, planning, and scheduling.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic, and food-safe production environment.
• Collaborate with production teams to meet targets and deadlines.

Skills

Chocolate production

Pastry skills

Recipe development

Quality control

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Pastry Arts / Professional Cookery / Culinary Arts / Patisserie / Confectionery or related discipline

Tools

Chocolate tempering equipment

Moulding & enrobing equipment

Job description

Jack Rabbit Chocolate in Johannesburg seeks a qualified Pastry Chef or Chef with proven chocolatier experience to join our production team. You will produce premium chocolate products, applying pastry techniques to temper, mould, fill, and finish confections, with a focus on quality and consistency.

The role is hands-on, requires 5+ years' experience, and involves recipe development, scaling for small-batch and large production, and ensuring food safety and housekeeping standards.