At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire the pastry team while creating innovative dishes.
- Company: Join Ottolenghi, a vibrant restaurant known for its fresh, seasonal produce.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, delicious staff meals, and health support.
- Other info: Access to exclusive workshops and a warm, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative environment where your ideas truly matter.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Pastry Chef and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Ottolenghi, we're known for vibrant food, busy delis, and restaurants full of energy, but what really matters is our people. We create environments where teams feel supported, take pride in what they do, and deliver a genuinely warm experience to every guest. Ottolenghi Edinburgh marks an exciting new chapter for us, our first restaurant in Scotland. Opening in autumn 2026, this will be a vibrant, busy restaurant with a genuine commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and sustainability at its heart.
What you'll do:
- Lead, train, and motivate the pastry team, creating a positive and high-performing environment.
- Design and develop innovative dishes aligned with Ottolenghi's flavour philosophy and seasonal ethos.
- Oversee production, quality control, and consistency across the pastry operation.
- Manage scheduling, ordering, stock control, and section organisation efficiently.
- Support menu development, specials, and seasonal launches in collaboration with the wider kitchen and Test Kitchen teams.
- Uphold exceptional standards of food safety, hygiene, and presentation at all times.
- Manage food costs and contribute to budgeting and financial planning.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop junior pastry team members, building capability and confidence.
- Create a positive, respectful kitchen culture where teamwork, learning, and accountability are valued.
- Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to ensure a seamless, memorable guest experience.
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience as a Head Pastry Chef in a high-quality, high-volume kitchen, 2 years.
- A creative mind with a strong understanding of flavour, technique, and seasonality.
- Confident leadership and the ability to develop and inspire a team.
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
- Confidence working across multiple sites and managing production at scale.
Key skills:
- Exceptional pastry and baking skills with a strong creative vision.
- Confident leadership with the ability to build and inspire a high-performing team.
- Strong commercial understanding, including food cost management and production planning.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Calm under pressure with a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
- Comfortable using relevant kitchen management and IT systems.
- A genuine passion for pastry, creativity, and the Ottolenghi ethos.
What's in it for you?
- 33 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays.
- Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount.
- Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts.
- Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral.
- Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chefs Academy workshops, and access to external courses.
- A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated.
- Enhanced Parental Pay after two years service.
- A special birthday treat to celebrate your day.
- Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen.
- A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued.
If you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we'd love to hear from you.
Pastry Head Chef in Broughton employer: Ottolenghi
Contact Detail:
Ottolenghi Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastry Head Chef in Broughton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, attend culinary events, and connect with people in the industry. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring samples of your best pastries to interviews or networking events. This not only showcases your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to restaurants you admire, like Ottolenghi. Express your passion for their ethos and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest pastry trends and techniques. Consider taking workshops or courses that align with your creative vision, and don’t forget to mention these in your conversations with potential employers.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastry Head Chef in Broughton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for pastry shine through! Share your creative ideas and how they align with Ottolenghi's vibrant ethos. We want to see your personality and passion for food!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Pastry Chef role. Highlight your experience in high-quality kitchens and any leadership roles you've had. We’re looking for someone who can inspire a team, so showcase those skills!
Be Specific About Your Experience: In your application, be specific about your past experiences, especially around managing production and quality control. We want to know how you’ve handled busy environments and maintained exceptional standards.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Ottolenghi Edinburgh. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ottolenghi
✨Know Your Pastry Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your pastry knowledge. Be ready to discuss your favourite techniques, flavour combinations, and seasonal ingredients. Show them you’re not just a chef, but a passionate creator who understands the essence of Ottolenghi's vibrant ethos.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience leading a team. Think of specific examples where you've motivated and developed junior chefs. They want to see that you can create a positive kitchen culture, so share how you’ve fostered teamwork and accountability in your previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills under pressure. They might ask how you would handle a busy service or manage food costs. Have a few scenarios in mind where you successfully navigated challenges, demonstrating your calm and collaborative approach.
✨Align with Their Values
Research Ottolenghi’s commitment to sustainability and fresh produce. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these values in your role as Head Pastry Chef. Showing that you resonate with their philosophy will set you apart as a candidate who truly fits into their team.