Lead Pastry Educator in Cape Town

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Pension fund

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks an experienced Senior Pastry Chef to lead its pastry arts department. You will develop a world‑class curriculum, mentor students, and uphold top hygiene and safety standards in a dynamic educational setting.

The role requires 8+ years pastry experience, including 3+ years in supervision, plus a formal Pastry Arts qualification. You will teach hands‑on pastry techniques, manage the lab, and contribute to program growth and student success.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of professional pastry experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Formal culinary degree or diploma with a specialization in Pastry Arts is required.
• Proven ability to teach and mentor students effectively, with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Expertise in a wide array of pastry disciplines, including advanced cake decorating, chocolate tempering, sugar artistry, and viennoiserie.
• Strong understanding of food science as it applies to pastry.
• Experience in curriculum development and assessment design is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of inventory management, food costing, and budget control within a culinary context.
• Must be passionate about pastry education and dedicated to student success.
• Flexibility to work varying hours, including occasional evenings and weekends for special events or student projects in Cape Town.

Responsibilities

• Develop, update, and deliver comprehensive pastry arts curriculum for various programs, including hands‑on practical classes and theoretical lectures.
• Instruct and mentor students in a wide range of pastry techniques, including baking, chocolate work, sugar craft, plated desserts, and ice cream production.
• Supervise and manage the pastry lab, ensuring it is equipped with the necessary tools and ingredients, and maintained to the highest standards of hygiene and safety.
• Conduct practical assessments and provide constructive feedback to students, evaluating their progress and skill development.
• Stay abreast of current industry trends, techniques, and innovations in the pastry world, integrating them into the curriculum and student training.
• Collaborate with other department heads to ensure a cohesive culinary education program.
• Manage pastry ingredient inventory, ordering, and cost control, ensuring efficient use of resources within the department budget.
• Contribute to the institute's reputation by participating in culinary events, competitions, and demonstrations in and around Cape Town.
• Ensure all activities comply with health, safety, and sanitation regulations relevant to a culinary educational setting.

Skills

Mentoring

Teaching

Communication

Pastry techniques

Cake decorating

Chocolate work

Sugar craft

Plated desserts

Education

Formal Pastry Arts degree/diploma

Job description

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks an experienced Senior Pastry Chef to lead its pastry arts department. You will develop a world‑class curriculum, mentor students, and uphold top hygiene and safety standards in a dynamic educational setting.

The role requires 8+ years pastry experience, including 3+ years in supervision, plus a formal Pastry Arts qualification. You will teach hands‑on pastry techniques, manage the lab, and contribute to program growth and student success.