Pastry Chef - Bespoke Cakes

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Pastry Chef for a boutique bakery in George, Western Cape, to specialise in bespoke cakes and intricate desserts for weddings and special occasions.

You will design, bake, and decorate high-end cakes, manage the pastry section, source ingredients, and maintain top hygiene standards while collaborating with clients and the sales team to realise their design briefs. Hybrid on-site work in George is required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years pastry chef experience with a strong cake decoration portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of baking principles, dough lamination, sugar work, chocolate tempering, and buttercream techniques.
• Excellent artistic ability with keen eye for cake decoration and presentation.
• Experience in managing pastry inventory, costing recipes, and controlling expenses.
• Strong communication and client consultation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, especially during peak seasons.
• Culinary or pastry arts education is advantageous; hybrid on-site/George.

Responsibilities

• Design, bake, and decorate high-end custom cakes, including tiered wedding cakes.
• Develop and refine pastry recipes for taste, texture, and appearance.
• Manage pastry section: sourcing, inventory control, and waste minimization.
• Maintain hygiene and food safety in pastry area per local regulations.
• Collaborate with clients and sales team to discuss briefs and flavours.
• Research and implement new cake decorating trends.
• Train junior pastry assistants and ensure workflow in pastry department.
• Prepare other pastries and baked goods as required.

Skills

Cake decoration

Pastry artistry

Inventory management

Client consultation

Work under pressure

Communication

Education

Culinary/pastry education

Tools

Sugar work

Chocolate tempering

Dough lamination

Buttercream techniques

Job description

About the Role

Join an acclaimed boutique bakery in the heart of George, Western Cape , as a specialized Pastry Chef focusing on bespoke cakes and intricate dessert creations. Our client is renowned for its artisanal approach and commitment to using premium ingredients. We are looking for a candidate with a refined palate, exceptional artistic skill, and a deep understanding of pastry techniques to delight clients with stunning and delicious custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, and special occasions. This role requires a blend of technical proficiency and creative vision, ensuring every creation is a masterpiece. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the celebrated culinary landscape of the Garden Route .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, bake, and decorate high-end custom cakes, including tiered wedding cakes, sculpted cakes, and elaborately decorated celebration cakes.
• Develop and refine pastry recipes, ensuring consistency in taste, texture, and appearance.
• Manage the pastry section of the kitchen, including ingredient sourcing, inventory control, and waste minimization.
• Maintain impeccable standards of hygiene and food safety within the pastry production area, adhering to all local regulations for George .
• Collaborate with clients and the sales team to understand design briefs, discuss flavour profiles, and manage expectations for bespoke orders.
• Research and implement new trends in cake decorating and pastry arts.
• Train junior pastry assistants and ensure efficient workflow in the pastry department.
• Prepare a variety of other high-quality pastries, desserts, and baked goods as required by the business.

Requirements

• Proven experience (3+ years) as a Pastry Chef, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in decorative cake artistry and various pastry disciplines.
• In-depth knowledge of baking principles, dough lamination, sugar work, chocolate tempering, and buttercream techniques.
• Excellent artistic ability and a keen eye for detail in cake decoration and presentation.
• Proficiency in managing pastry inventory, costing recipes, and controlling expenses.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively consult with clients.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines, especially during peak seasons in Western Cape .
• Formal culinary or pastry arts education is highly advantageous.
• Must be adaptable to a hybrid work environment, with flexibility to be on-site for key production and client consultations in George .

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary, a creative and inspiring work environment, and the opportunity to work with premium ingredients. You will gain invaluable experience in high-end custom cake design and have a direct impact on client satisfaction. Our client values work-life balance and offers a supportive team culture. This role is perfect for a pastry artist looking to elevate their career in the scenic beauty of the Western Cape , contributing to memorable celebrations in and around George .