Senior Pastry Chef: Luxury Cakes & Desserts Lead

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Creative freedom to develop pastry

Premium ingredients and equipment

Staff discounts on products

Career advancement opportunities

Supportive culinary team in George

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Pastry Chef in George to lead a dedicated pastry section within a renowned patisserie and event caterer. You will design and execute exquisite wedding cakes, dessert platters, and artisanal baked goods, while mentoring junior staff and ensuring top-tier quality.

You will manage production schedules, source premium ingredients, and collaborate with the Executive Chef and planners to offer innovative dessert menus for in-house and external events.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of dedicated pastry experience, with senior-level exposure in luxury settings.
• Strong portfolio showcasing decorative cakes and intricate pastry work.
• Expertise in diverse pastry techniques including baking, chocolate work, sugar artistry, and viennoiserie.
• Excellent flavor profiling and ingredient pairing knowledge.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and communicate effectively in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Solid understanding of food safety and sanitation standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and present a wide range of pastries, cakes, and desserts with superior aesthetics and taste.
• Develop new pastry recipes and techniques aligned with trends in patisserie and catering.
• Oversee pastry production from sourcing to plating and presentation.
• Ensure consistent quality and strict portion control across all items.
• Supervise junior pastry staff and kitchen assistants, guiding skill development.
• Maintain hygiene standards and compliance with health regulations.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef and event planners on custom dessert menus for occasions.
• Manage pastry inventory, orders, and waste reduction.

Skills

Pastry artistry

Cake decoration

Leadership

Portfolio presentation

Flavor pairing

Time management

Education

Professional culinary or pastry arts qualification

Formal pastry training

Tools

High-end kitchen equipment

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Pastry Chef in George to lead a dedicated pastry section within a renowned patisserie and event caterer. You will design and execute exquisite wedding cakes, dessert platters, and artisanal baked goods, while mentoring junior staff and ensuring top-tier quality.

You will manage production schedules, source premium ingredients, and collaborate with the Executive Chef and planners to offer innovative dessert menus for in-house and external events.