Apprentice Pastry Chef - Cambridge

We’re currently recruiting for an ambitious Apprentice Pastry Chef to join our team at Lodestone House, working 45.8 weeks a year on a 40‑hour per week contract. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a passion for baking and patisserie who is eager to begin or develop their culinary career within a supportive and professional environment.

As an Apprentice Pastry Chef, you will be an integral part of our kitchen team, working alongside experienced chefs to produce high‑quality pastries, desserts, and baked goods. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced kitchen, learning essential techniques such as preparation, baking, presentation, and maintaining consistency to the highest standards. From assisting with daily production to contributing creative ideas, you’ll develop a strong foundation in both classic and modern pastry skills. Alongside your practical experience, you will benefit from a structured apprenticeship programme, giving you the opportunity to earn while you learn and achieve a recognised qualification. You’ll receive ongoing support and mentoring from skilled professionals who are committed to helping you succeed and grow in your role. On completion of the Apprenticeship, you will achieve the Pastry Chef L3 and become a qualified Pastry Chef.

About Lodestone House: Located on Hills Road in Cambridge, Lodestone House is a modern, purpose‑built facility within a leading independent school environment. The site supports a high‑volume catering operation, delivering a wide range of freshly prepared food, from daily café offerings to hospitality and event catering. With a strong focus on quality, creativity, and service, it provides an excellent setting for aspiring chefs to develop their skills in a dynamic and professional kitchen.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting production across bread, pastries, café items, and hospitality preparation
• Assisting with a varied workload, including approximately 20% bread, 40% pastry production, 20% café items, and 20% hospitality prep
• Carrying out tasks such as laminating, filling and finishing pastries, producing desserts and chocolates, and preparing items for events
• Supporting event service and ensuring high standards of presentation
• Adapting to a varied day‑to‑day workload based on school operations and service demands

Ideal Candidate:

• A reliable and punctual approach to work
• The ability to remain calm and perform well under pressure
• A strong team‑focused mindset with a willingness to support others
• A genuine passion for pastry and the wider hospitality industry
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in producing high‑quality work
• Strong numerical and communication skills
• A positive attitude and eagerness to learn and develop within a high‑volume school environment

Benefits:

• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products
• Aviva Digicare – Free annual healthcare check
• Medicash – Discounted health cash plan providing cashback on a range of medical treatments, including Dental, Optical and Consultant appointments for you and your family
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Sharebuy Scheme
• Recognition awards including Be a Star peer recognition and Long Service Awards
• Employee networks created and led by employees for employees
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment, Health & Wellbeing and Travel discounts
• Shopping discounts – Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
• Vodafone discounts
• Ongoing training & development and career pathway

Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children’s Barred List check.