At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative desserts and pastries for our iconic restaurants.
- Company: Join The Ivy Collection, a celebrated group of 61 restaurants in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% dining discount, competitive pay, and extra holiday allowance.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities in a leading hospitality group.
- Why this job: Shape the future of dessert offerings and make a real impact in the culinary world.
- Qualifications: Experience in pastry development and strong knowledge of bakery techniques required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Ivy Collection is a group of 61 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, including The Ivy Brasseries, The Ivy Asia, Harrys Restaurants, Brasserie of Light, and the original The Ivy, established in 1917. Our iconic restaurants are celebrated for exceptional food, outstanding service, and unforgettable moments. We are now looking for a talented Pastry Development Chef to join our Food Development team and help shape the future of our dessert and bakery offering across the business. This role is based at our Development Kitchen in Acton and will work closely with Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain and Executive Chefs to deliver innovative, commercially successful products.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop innovative dessert, bakery and pastry products across The Ivy Collection brands.
- Create recipes, specifications and production methods that can be consistently replicated across multiple sites.
- Work closely with suppliers, Procurement and Supply Chain teams to source ingredients and products that support menu innovation and cost control.
- Identify emerging trends, ingredients and techniques to enhance our pastry offering.
- Ensure all new products are operationally practical, scalable and commercially viable.
- Lead product tastings, trials and launches, providing recommendations and feedback.
- Create and maintain recipe cards, operational guides and product specifications.
- Support quarterly menu changes, seasonal launches and special occasion menus.
- Deliver training for Area Chefs, Head Chefs and kitchen teams to ensure successful implementation across the business.
- Collaborate with Marketing on seasonal campaigns, menu launches and food photography projects.
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience in a pastry development, pastry innovation or senior pastry chef role.
- Strong knowledge of pastry production, bakery techniques, ingredients and current market trends.
- Experience developing recipes and products for multi-site hospitality or retail environments.
- Commercial understanding of food cost, margins, scalability and operational delivery.
- Strong supplier management and product sourcing experience.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Passion for innovation, quality and continuous improvement.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence and train teams across multiple locations.
Benefits & Rewards:
- 50% discount for you and up to 3 guests when dining in our restaurants.
- 30% discount across the wider group of restaurants.
- Competitive industry pay (based on salary & Tronc).
- Extra holiday allowance linked to length of service up to 5 additional days after 5 years.
- Career development opportunities across one of the UK's leading hospitality groups.
About us:
Our shared CARING values help create an environment where we are happy, engaged and supportive of one another. We care for ourselves, our colleagues and our guests, while celebrating individuality, diversity and inclusion across our business.
Pastry Development Chef employer: The Ivy (Support Office)
The Ivy Collection is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and innovation in the culinary arts. As a Pastry Development Chef based in our Development Kitchen in Acton, you will enjoy competitive pay, generous discounts at our restaurants, and ample opportunities for career growth within one of the UK's leading hospitality groups. Our commitment to employee well-being and development, alongside our CARING values, ensures a supportive environment where your talents can truly flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastry Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, suppliers, and industry contacts. Attend food events or workshops to meet people who can help you land that Pastry Development Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best pastry creations and innovative recipes. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings. Reach out directly to The Ivy Collection and express your interest in joining their Food Development team. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends! Keep an eye on emerging dessert and pastry trends. Being knowledgeable about what's hot in the market will show your passion and commitment to innovation during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastry Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your love for pastry shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about creating innovative desserts. We want to see your personality and passion for the craft!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Pastry Development Chef. Highlight your relevant experience in pastry innovation and how it aligns with our vision at The Ivy Collection. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their skills to our needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and skills. We love a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at The Ivy Collection!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Ivy (Support Office)
✨Know Your Pastry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your pastry knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with current trends, techniques, and ingredients that are making waves in the industry. Being able to discuss these confidently will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share some of your innovative dessert ideas or recipes that you've developed in the past. Bring along a portfolio if you have one, as visual aids can really help convey your creativity and thought process when it comes to pastry development.
✨Understand the Business Side
Since this role involves working closely with procurement and supply chain teams, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of food costs, margins, and scalability. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed these aspects in previous roles and how you can apply that knowledge here.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
As a Pastry Development Chef, you'll need to train and influence teams across multiple locations. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated and collaborated with others in the past. This will highlight your ability to lead tastings and product launches effectively.
