At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and bake delicious pastries in a fast-paced café environment.
- Company: Join Luminary Bakery, a vibrant new café in Kings Cross.
- Benefits: Enjoy free coffee, discounts, and wellness support.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team making a positive impact through baking.
- Qualifications: 2 years of pastry experience and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Reports to: Head Baker
Work Locations
- Kings Cross, London NC1 — Luminary Bakery's new café & production kitchen, opening [TBC]
- Other sites if required [E8 2BT] and [N16 8RY]
Hours:
40 hours per week,5:00am-1:00pm, predominantly Mon - Fri (but flexibility across Monday-Sunday if business needs require)
- Employed by: Luminary Bakery Ltd
- Overview
We are looking for a passionate and skilled Pastry Chef with at least 2 years of high-quality kitchen experience to join our Luminary team.
This is a hands-on production role at the centre of our new King's Cross cafe and bakery.
You'll be responsible for laminating, shaping and baking a high volume of viennoiserie and pastry each morning to supply a small café with a big, fast-paced service.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, share our dedication to excellence, and bring creativity and attention to detail to every bake.
Key Responsibilities
- Menu Creation & Execution: Collaborate with the Head Baker to create, refine, and execute seasonal menus featuring a range of pastries that align with Luminary’s ethos, current trends and customer preferences.
- Viennoiserie & Pastry
Production: Produce our full viennoiserie and pastry range daily.
This includes a range of croissants, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins, pain suisse, danishes and seasonal specials, from mixing and lamination through to shaping, proofing and baking.
- Quality Control & Consistency: Ensure all products meet our high standards of taste, presentation, and quality.
Develop procedures to optimise ingredient usage while minimising wastage and upholding quality standards.
- Time
Management: Hit a high-volume daily production target to fully stock the café's pastry case ahead of opening and restock throughout the day, working quickly and cleanly under time pressure.
- Production
Oversight: Manage daily pastry production, balancing team assignments and production levels to meet daily demands.
Oversee contingency planning and handle fluctuating demands to ensure the team is prepared with coverage for holidays, peak business periods and sickness or leave absences.
- Recipe
Development: Lead your team in developing new recipes, focusing on diverse, innovative, and seasonally inspired products suitable for various dietary needs including plant-based and gluten-free options.
Maintain record of recipes and method documentation, ensuring all team members have access to standardised recipes for consistent results.
- Inventory & Stock
Management: Maintain ingredient stocks, source fresh supplies, and manage budgets in collaboration with finance.
Implement stock rotation practices to minimise waste and maintain optimal freshness.
- Health & Safety Compliance: Uphold sanitation, health, and safety standards, maintaining a clean and organised kitchen.
- Collaborative Product Rollout: Work closely with the Head Baker, customer service, and the finance team to ensure efficient product development, costing, and revenue management.
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience: Proven experience as a Pastry Chef with expertise in laminated viennoiserie.
Confident experience using a dough sheeter/lamination machine.
Fluent in viennoiserie shaping technique across the full range — croissants, pain au chocolat, pain suisse, danishes and similar.
Familiarity with both classic techniques and modern trends is highly valued.
- Leadership: Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills to foster an inclusive, creative and productive work environment.
- Attention to
Detail: Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality standards.
Proven ability to work quickly, cleanly and accurately at volume, under real time pressure, without compromising quality.
- Innovation: A creative mindset and a drive for culinary innovation, constantly seeking ways to create new recipes and improve upon existing Luminary products range.
- Availability: Comfortable with early starts and a physically demanding, fast-paced production kitchen.
- Adaptability: Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with flexibility in handling various shifts, peak business periods and evolving production demands.
- Commercial Awareness: Experience with product costing, sales analysis, and inventory management to support effective decision-making and business growth.
- Certification: Culinary or pastry certification is preferred as well as additional training in food safety and handling.
Desirable
- Experience with bakery production software.
- Background in social enterprise or Head Baker experience.
Benefits
- Daily Perks: Free barista coffee daily and 50% off all Luminary food & drink.
- Discounts: 20% discount on online purchases (celebration cakes & merchandise), discounts for friends and family.
- Wellness: Wellness Action Plan to support health at work.
- Professional Development: Regular training opportunities and involvement in press coverage.
Become part of a team that’s dedicated to creating memorable, delicious experiences while making a positive impact.
Pastry Chef [New Opening] employer: Luminary Bakery
Luminary Women is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women who have faced multiple disadvantages, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture in Camden. As a Training Coordinator, you will benefit from a collaborative environment that prioritises personal growth and professional development, alongside the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on trauma-informed practices and a commitment to employee wellbeing, Luminary Women stands out as a rewarding place to work for those passionate about social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastry Chef [New Opening]
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Luminary Bakery. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Luminary Bakery
Don't be shy about reaching out to Luminary Bakery directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Pastry Chef [New Opening]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Luminary Bakery and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Luminary Bakery
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
