Head Pastry Chef: Lead Creative Desserts in Cape Town

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Staff discounts on patisserie products

Competitions & workshops

Creative work environment

High-quality ingredients & equipment

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a talented Pastry Chef to lead its pastry and dessert creation department. You will design, prepare and present pastries, cakes, breads, and desserts with exceptional quality and visual appeal.

You will manage the pastry team, source ingredients, control inventory, maintain hygiene, train juniors, and collaborate on menu development with the Executive Chef.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years as a Pastry Chef or Senior Pastry Cook in a high-volume, quality-focused environment.
• Formal training in pastry arts or a related culinary qualification.
• Expertise in baking, sugar work, chocolate tempering, and cake decorating.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and present a wide array of pastries, cakes, breads, and desserts with exceptional quality and visual appeal.
• Develop seasonal specials and signature items aligned with brand and customer expectations.
• Manage all pastry section operations including ingredient sourcing, inventory control, and hygiene standards.
• Train and guide junior pastry cooks, fostering a collaborative and skilled team.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on menu planning, costing, and new product development initiatives.

Skills

Pastry techniques

Food costing

Inventory mgmt

Leadership

Education

Formal pastry training

Job description

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a talented Pastry Chef to lead its pastry and dessert creation department. You will design, prepare and present pastries, cakes, breads, and desserts with exceptional quality and visual appeal.

You will manage the pastry team, source ingredients, control inventory, maintain hygiene, train juniors, and collaborate on menu development with the Executive Chef.