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- Tasks: Lead the pastry section and create stunning desserts for high-profile events.
- Company: Join Houston & Hawkes, an award-winning independent contract caterer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, free meals, and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Showcase your creativity and culinary artistry in a prestigious environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in a senior pastry role and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Be part of a top hospitality company with excellent career progression.
The predicted salary is between 47500 - 47500 £ per year.
Houston & Hawkes are looking for an exceptionally talented and creative Head Pastry Chef to join our culinary team at a prestigious client site in Central London. This is not a role for the average pastry chef; we need someone truly outstanding, with the skill and composure to deliver at the highest level. The site hosts a calendar of high-profile summer events, attracting prestigious guests and requiring impeccable standards of presentation and creativity. You will manage the pastry section and craft both classic and modern creations from beautifully plated desserts to artisan breads and bespoke cakes, all to a standard befitting some of London's most distinguished occasions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the pastry section and oversee day-to-day kitchen operations
- Deliver exceptional pastry work for high-profile summer events and prestigious occasions
- Create a high-quality and imaginative selection of desserts, pastries, and baked items
- Manage and mentor a dedicated pastry team to deliver excellence
- Collaborate with the Head Chef and Hospitality Manager on menus and events
- Innovate with new recipes for fine dining and retail-style coffee concepts
- Uphold standards of quality, flavour, and presentation at all times
- Manage stock, ordering, and kitchen budgets
- Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant kitchen environment
- Adapt recipes for dietary requirements including gluten-free and sugar-free
- Champion the company’s food ethos through creativity and consistency
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Proven experience in a senior pastry role, ideally in fine dining or 5-star settings
- A genuine passion for pastry, baking, and culinary artistry
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Exceptional creativity and meticulous attention to detail
- Solid knowledge of food safety, allergens, and kitchen hygiene standards
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Relevant culinary or pastry qualifications (preferred)
- Experience in high-end contract catering or hospitality environments (advantageous)
WHAT WE OFFER
- £47,500 salary
- Work with an award-winning Director of Food
- Evolving, creative menus to showcase your talent
- Top 20 Hospitality Company to Work For
- Free meals while on duty
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance (2x salary)
- Birthday off
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Company events including Recognition schemes and staff awards
- Enhanced parental leave
- Referral bonuses
- Ongoing training, development, and clear progression
ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES
Houston & Hawkes is an innovative, independent contract caterer based in the South East. We are proud to be an award-winning, certified B Corp company, ranked among the Top 30 hospitality employers in the UK. We deliver bespoke, seasonal food experiences across workplaces, events, and hospitality spaces, built by teams who share our passion for flavour, service, and creativity.
HOW TO APPLY
If you are a creative and ambitious pastry chef ready to lead with flair, apply today and bring your talent to Houston & Hawkes.
Head Pastry Chef in London employer: Houston and Hawkes
Contact Detail:
Houston and Hawkes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Pastry Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend culinary events, workshops, or even local food festivals. Meeting people in the industry can open doors and lead to job opportunities that aren’t advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio of your best pastry creations. Whether it’s a stunning cake or a unique dessert, having visual proof of your talent can really impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out! If you see a company you love, drop them a message on social media or via email. Express your interest and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic roles waiting for talented chefs like you. Make sure to showcase your creativity and passion in your application to stand out from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Pastry Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creativity: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! Share your unique pastry creations and any innovative ideas you have. We want to see how you can bring your flair to our team.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Pastry Chef role. Highlight your experience in fine dining and any leadership roles you've had. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Be Specific About Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills—give us examples! Talk about your experience with dietary adaptations or managing a pastry team. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our high standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston and Hawkes
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As a Head Pastry Chef, creativity is key! Prepare to discuss your unique dessert concepts and how you’ve innovated in past roles. Bring along a portfolio of your best work to visually demonstrate your skills.
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in pastry and baking. Be ready to talk about your favourite ingredients and how you adapt recipes for dietary requirements. This shows your versatility and commitment to quality.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since you'll be managing a team, think of examples where you've successfully led a kitchen or mentored junior chefs. Highlight your approach to teamwork and how you maintain high standards under pressure.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills in a kitchen environment. Think about scenarios where you had to manage stock, budgets, or adapt menus for events. Practising these responses will help you feel more confident.