Head Pastry Chef - Luxury Hotel, Cape Town Desserts

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional growth

State-of-the-art kitchen

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Head Pastry Chef for a celebrated luxury hotel and multi-award-winning restaurant. You will lead the pastry department, conceive desserts, breads, and confections for dining outlets and events, and oversee inventory and costs.

The role requires 8+ years pastry, 4+ in leadership, mastery of sugar work and chocolate tempering, menu costing, and HACCP. Join a world-class property offering growth, training, and international culinary exposure.

Qualifications

• Formal culinary training with a specialization in pastry arts or equivalent extensive experience.
• Minimum 8 years progressive experience in pastry, with at least 4 years in Head Pastry Chef or Senior Pastry Chef role, preferably in luxury settings.
• Mastery of classical and contemporary pastry techniques (sugar work, chocolate tempering, bread making, dessert plating).
• Proven ability in menu development, recipe costing, and inventory management.
• Strong leadership, organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent understanding of HACCP and food safety standards.
• Creative flair and a passion for pastry; commitment to improvement.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and presentation.
• Flexibility to work weekends/holidays in Cape Town.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the pastry kitchen, including production and quality control.
• Create innovative desserts, pastries, cakes, breads for hotel outlets and events.
• Develop seasonal menus and daily specials with quality adherence.
• Manage pastry team members, providing training and feedback.
• Oversee inventory and cost-effective ingredient ordering.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety and sanitation rules.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on menu planning and execution.
• Maintain supplier relationships for quality ingredients.
• Monitor pastry production costs for profitability.
• Contribute to the hotel’s culinary reputation in Cape Town.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Cost control

HACCP & food safety

Team training

Attention to detail

Education

Formal pastry training

Job description

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Head Pastry Chef for a celebrated luxury hotel and multi-award-winning restaurant. You will lead the pastry department, conceive desserts, breads, and confections for dining outlets and events, and oversee inventory and costs.

The role requires 8+ years pastry, 4+ in leadership, mastery of sugar work and chocolate tempering, menu costing, and HACCP. Join a world-class property offering growth, training, and international culinary exposure.