At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our kitchen team to create delicious pastries and desserts while learning from experienced chefs.
- Company: Lodestone House, a modern facility in Cambridge focused on quality and creativity.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn with competitive pay, health perks, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with excellent growth potential and recognition for your hard work.
- Why this job: Kickstart your culinary career in a supportive environment and become a qualified Pastry Chef.
- Qualifications: Passion for pastry, teamwork skills, and a positive attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 26700 - 26700 £ per year.
Salary/Hourly Rate: £13.49 per hour
Location: Lodestone House, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8QF
Reporting to: Executive Chef
Hours/Working Pattern: Monday - Friday (evening and weekends paid and required term time only)
Contractual Requirements: DBS Check required
About the Role
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.
In return, we offer more than just a job. You’ll be part of a company that truly invests in its people, values individuality, and encourages career progression. We recognise and reward those who go above and beyond, providing opportunities to develop your skills and build a long-term career within the industry. 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.
The key responsibilities of this role include:
- 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
Our ideal apprentice will have:
- 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
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package including (but not limited to):
- 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
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a short questionnaire and participate in a screening call to determine your eligibility for apprenticeship funding in line with the Department for Education funding rules. This is a mandatory step of the application process to ensure that you meet the criteria for apprenticeship funding.
Please note: We reserve the right to remove this advert prior to the advertised date, dependent on the level of response received. You are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. 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. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Apprentice Pastry Chef - Cambridge employer: Compass Group UK & I - Apprenticeship Program
At Lodestone House in Cambridge, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that nurtures talent and fosters a supportive work culture. As an Apprentice Pastry Chef, you will benefit from a structured apprenticeship programme, hands-on experience in a dynamic kitchen, and ongoing mentorship from skilled professionals, all while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises your well-being and career progression.
Contact Details:
Compass Group UK & I - Apprenticeship Program Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Pastry Chef - Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! Visit the kitchen if you can, or even better, try to get some work experience. Nothing beats seeing the hustle and bustle of a real kitchen, and it shows your passion for pastry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Chat with chefs, attend culinary events, or join online forums. Building connections in the industry can open doors and give you insider tips on landing that apprenticeship.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Bring a portfolio of your baking creations to interviews. Whether it's photos of your pastries or a list of recipes you've mastered, it’ll help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Pastry Chef - Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pastry:When writing your application, let your love for baking and patisserie shine through! Share any experiences or inspirations that fuel your passion, as we want to see your enthusiasm for the role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of the Apprentice Pastry Chef role. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their background to what we do at Lodestone House.
Be Yourself:We value individuality, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. Share your unique perspective and what makes you a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & I - Apprenticeship Program
✨Know Your Pastry Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your pastry knowledge. Familiarise yourself with different types of pastries, techniques like laminating, and key ingredients. This will show your passion for baking and help you answer technical questions confidently.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As an Apprentice Pastry Chef, teamwork is crucial. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked well in a team before. Highlight your ability to support others and adapt to a busy kitchen environment, as this will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Bring Your Creativity
Think about some creative ideas or recipes you’d love to try in the kitchen. During the interview, don’t hesitate to share these ideas. It demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and your willingness to contribute creatively to the team.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the apprenticeship programme, opportunities for growth, or the kitchen's daily operations. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
