Senior Pastry Chef — Creative Dessert Lead for High-Volume Events

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Creative kitchen brigade

Growth opportunities

Positive work environment

High-profile events exposure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pastry Chef in the Tembisa, Gauteng area to lead a pastry team and craft exquisite desserts for diverse events. You will direct daily pastry operations, ensuring top-quality products and creative presentation while mentoring junior staff and maintaining strict food-safety standards.

The role requires 5+ years of senior pastry experience, a culinary degree or Pastry Arts certification, and fluent English.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of senior pastry experience in catering or high-volume settings.
• Culinary degree or Pastry Arts certification preferred.
• Extensive baking and pastry techniques including bread, cakes, tarts, chocolates.
• Strong flavour profiling and dessert composition.
• Proven leadership and team motivation skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations.
• Inventory management and pastry cost control experience.
• Creative flair with attention to detail in presentation.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays as event schedules require.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute innovative and classic pastry and dessert menus for diverse events.
• Oversee the daily operations of the pastry section, ensuring high standards of quality and consistency.
• Manage and train junior pastry chefs and kitchen assistants in pastry techniques and production.
• Control inventory of pastry ingredients, place orders, and ensure optimal stock levels.
• Maintain strict hygiene, sanitation, and food safety standards within the pastry kitchen.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and event coordinators to meet client specifications and event themes.
• Ensure efficient production schedules to meet event deadlines without compromising quality.
• Experiment with new ingredients, techniques, and flavour combinations to elevate the pastry offerings.
• Monitor food costs and implement strategies for cost control within the pastry department.

Education

Culinary degree or Pastry Arts certification

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Pastry Chef in the Tembisa, Gauteng area to lead a pastry team and craft exquisite desserts for diverse events. You will direct daily pastry operations, ensuring top-quality products and creative presentation while mentoring junior staff and maintaining strict food-safety standards.

The role requires 5+ years of senior pastry experience, a culinary degree or Pastry Arts certification, and fluent English.