Pastry Chef

Empact Group; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food services company in South Africa is seeking a talented Pastry Chef to join their team. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in baking and confectionery, exceptional culinary skills, and a creative approach to producing a variety of baked goods. This role requires strong organizational abilities and a commitment to maintaining a clean and safe baking environment in a fast-paced kitchen.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in baking and confectionery.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Detail-oriented with a passion for baking.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and bake a diverse range of baked goods, pastries, cakes, and desserts.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the baking area.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff to meet production needs.

Skills

Baking techniques

Food safety practices

Creativity in recipes

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Formal training in baking or culinary arts

Food handler's certification

Job description

Main purpose of the role:

We are currently looking for a talented and experienced Pastry Chef to join our team who will be responsible for preparing a wide variety of baked goods, pastries, cakes, and desserts. The ideal candidate will have a passion for baking, exceptional culinary skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Formal training in baking or culinary arts preferred
• Food handler's certification or other relevant certifications are a plus
• Min 5 years’ experience in baking, confectionery with diverse skills set

Key areas of responsibility:

• Prepare and bake a diverse range of baked goods, pastries, cakes, and desserts, following established recipes and techniques
• Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes to ensure consistency and quality
• Decorate and present baked goods in an appealing manner
• Monitor oven temperature and adjust settings as needed to ensure proper baking
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the baking area, including equipment, utensils, and workstations
• Collaborate with other kitchen staff to plan and execute daily production needs
• Assist in inventory management and ordering of baking ingredients and suppliesContinuously stay updated on the latest baking trends, techniques, and ingredients and develop new recipes and seasonal offerings in collaboration with the culinary team
• Adhere to all food safety and sanitation regulations to ensure a safe and clean work environment
• Ability to work weekends and evening as per operational requirements

Knowledge, Skills and competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of different baking techniques, ingredients, and equipment
• Strong understanding of food safety practices and proficiency in maintaining a clean and hygienic baking environment
• Ability to follow recipes accurately and creatively experiment with flavors and presentations
• Good organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented and able to consistently produce high‑quality baked goods
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Empact Group is committed to Employment Equity in line with legislation and will give first preference to candidates as per Equity requirements.