At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pastry operations for exciting events, creating delicious desserts with a focus on sustainability.
- Company: Join the iconic Kia Oval, home to Surrey County Cricket Club, and be part of a vibrant team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, healthcare, 23 days' leave, and fantastic perks like discounts and training.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values individuality and fosters career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a creative role while championing plant-based desserts and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Pastry CDP or Sous Chef, with a passion for innovative and sustainable pastry.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 42500 £ per year.
Full-Time / Permanent £42500 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.
Who We Are
The Kia Oval, home to Surrey County Cricket Club since 1845, is an iconic international cricket ground in South London. Oval Events Ltd (OEL) delivers all catering, hospitality, bars, and events, driven by a strong partnership focused on world-class experiences.
Scope of Role
The Pastry Sous Chef leads pastry operations across a diverse event portfolio, from large-scale international matchdays (up to 5,500 guests) to VVIP and corporate events. The role ensures high-quality production, consistency, and efficient use of resources, while supporting menu development with a strong focus on sustainability and plant-based desserts. It also involves leading and developing the pastry team and maintaining food safety standards.
Focus Areas
- Culinary Execution & Innovation • Lead pastry production across all events, delivering consistent, high-quality desserts at scale • Collaborate on seasonal, innovative menus with a strong plant-based focus • Drive creativity in vegan pastry and maintain exceptional presentation and flavour
- Sustainability • Support 100% plant-based dessert offerings and reduce food waste • Champion local, seasonal, and responsibly sourced ingredients • Embed sustainable kitchen practices and support Net Zero initiatives
- Team Leadership • Lead, coach, and develop pastry teams across varied service levels • Foster a positive, high-performing kitchen culture • Support training in plant-based and sustainable practices
- Operations & Compliance • Deliver smooth pastry operations across matchdays and events • Maintain food safety, hygiene, and allergen standards • Support stock control and efficient service in a fast-paced environment
Person Specification
- Experience as Pastry CDP or Sous Chef in high-volume or premium hospitality
- Strong knowledge of food safety and UK regulations
- Interest or experience in plant-based pastry
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Passion for sustainability and flexible to work events and matchdays
What you'll get in return
- Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits
- 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
- Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
- Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Family benefits: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 2 days additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby's first birthday, enhanced family leave
- Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
- Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
- Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
- Meals on duty included
Why Join Us?
Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality. We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.
Together, we create unforgettable experiences and shape the future of hospitality. 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.
Pastry Sous Chef - Kia Oval in London employer: Levy Restaurants UK
As a Senior Chef de Partie, you will thrive in a vibrant culinary environment that values creativity and excellence. Our company offers competitive salaries, a supportive work culture, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for passionate chefs to develop their skills and advance their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastry Sous Chef - Kia Oval in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who have experience in high-volume hospitality. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best pastry creations. Whether it's photos or a video, having something tangible to share can really impress potential employers and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to places you want to work at, like the Kia Oval. Express your passion for pastry and sustainability, and let them know you’re keen to join their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in plant-based desserts and sustainability practices. Attend workshops or online courses to boost your knowledge and show that you’re committed to growth in your culinary career.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastry Sous Chef - Kia Oval in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pastry:When writing your application, let your love for pastry shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about creating innovative desserts, especially with a plant-based twist.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Pastry Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team. Make sure to mention any previous experience in coaching or developing others, and how you foster a positive kitchen culture. We want to see how you can inspire your team!
Emphasise Sustainability:Since sustainability is key for us, don’t forget to include any relevant experience or ideas you have around using local ingredients, reducing waste, or creating plant-based options. Show us you're on board with our green initiatives!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Kia Oval!
How to prepare for a job interview at Levy Restaurants UK
✨Know Your Pastry Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest pastry trends, especially plant-based options. Be ready to discuss your favourite recipes and how you can innovate within the role. This shows your passion and creativity, which are key for a Pastry Sous Chef.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a high-pressure environment. Discuss your approach to coaching and developing others, as this role involves leading a pastry team. Highlight any experiences where you fostered a positive kitchen culture.
✨Emphasise Sustainability Practices
Since sustainability is a focus for this role, be prepared to talk about your experience with sustainable cooking practices. Share ideas on how you can contribute to reducing food waste and using local ingredients, which will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Master the Art of Food Safety
Brush up on UK food safety regulations and be ready to discuss how you maintain hygiene standards in a busy kitchen. Providing specific examples of how you’ve ensured compliance in past roles will demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to safety.
