At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic pastry kitchen, creating innovative desserts and mentoring junior chefs.
- Company: The Pembroke, a unique club in Belgravia offering eclectic experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, family meals, learning opportunities, and a supportive team.
- Other info: Exciting career growth and a chance to work with premium ingredients.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant culinary team and showcase your creativity in a prestigious setting.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in luxury dining, strong pastry skills, and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Steeped in history and situated in the heart of Belgravia, The Pembroke stands apart as a unique club for Londoners. From the spirit of our members to the splendour of our events, we are a home for eclectic and excellent living. A place to eat, drink, dance and meet, The Pembroke opens its doors to those who wish to fill their world with the finest experiences, from cocktails to culture, billiards to business.
As part of our premium culinary offering, The Pembroke features multiple restaurants showcasing vibrant flavours, seasonal produce and elevated dining. The kitchen department will support four distinct restaurants and an events output, so there is opportunity to learn a variety of cuisines, and the ability to move within the restaurant teams.
The Role Overview
The Pastry Sous Chef will support the Head Pastry Chef in overseeing the daily operations of the pastry kitchen, including restaurant service, event production and the basement prep kitchen. This role involves supervising pastry preparation, leading sections during service, ensuring exceptional standards of flavour, texture and presentation, and deputising for the Head Pastry Chef when required. The Pastry Sous Chef contributes to menu development, team training, creative output and maintaining a culture of excellence, precision and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Pastry Production & Menu Development: Assist the Head Pastry Chef in creating innovative, seasonal dessert menus aligned with the club's culinary philosophy and member preferences. Ensure all pastry items meet exacting standards for flavour balance, texture, presentation and consistency. Lead pastry sections during service, coordinating timing, plating standards and communication with the main kitchen and front of house teams.
- Team Leadership & Training: Coach, mentor and develop junior pastry chefs, ensuring clear standards, mise en place systems and professional growth. Oversee daily prep lists, section organisation and service readiness, ensuring accurate labelling, storage and rotation.
- Operations & Quality Control: Monitor stock levels; manage ordering, deliveries and stock rotation (FIFO) to minimise waste and maintain freshness. Support cost targets by ensuring accurate portioning, yield management and efficient use of premium ingredients. Maintain strict hygiene, allergen and safety standards; ensure full compliance with HACCP and COSHH. Uphold pastry kitchen cleanliness, equipment care, and timely maintenance reporting. Act as duty leader in the Head Pastry Chef's absence, making operational decisions to protect service quality and guest experience.
- Events Food Oversight: Assist in preparing and executing bespoke pastry menus for events ranging from canapés to afternoon tea, petit fours, celebration cakes and plated desserts. Work closely with the Head Pastry Chef, Senior chefs and events team to plan accurate mise en place and timelines. Support smooth service during events by coordinating your section, maintaining clear communication and responding quickly to last minute changes. Ensure all event pastry items are precise, beautifully presented and tailored to dietary requirements or special guest requests. Maintain organisation, cleanliness and consistency throughout event production and service.
About You
We are keen to speak with candidates who bring:
- 3-5 years' experience in luxury restaurants, hotels or private members' clubs, ideally within a high level pastry team.
- Previous experience as a Pastry Junior Sous Chef or strong Pastry Chef de Partie ready to step up.
- Advanced proficiency in pastry techniques including plated desserts, bakery, chocolate work, ice cream make, viennoiserie, and afternoon tea items.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams with calm, clear communication and strong organisational skills.
- Solid understanding of food cost control, waste reduction and stock management.
- Up-to-date knowledge of HACCP, COSHH, allergens and food safety best practices.
- Exceptional attention to detail, creativity, precision and time management.
- Calm, confident leadership and excellent organisational skills.
- A passion for quality, detail and contemporary pastry.
What We Offer
- Best-in-class salary.
- Family meal on shift.
- Industry-leading Learning & Development opportunities.
- Pension scheme - including employer contributions.
- Annual staff award ceremony and party.
- A supportive and inspiring culinary leadership team.
- More benefits to be set up as we open.
Senior Sous Chef - London employer: The Pembroke Club
The Pembroke, located in the vibrant heart of Belgravia, is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of excellence and innovation within its culinary team. With opportunities for professional growth through diverse restaurant experiences and a commitment to staff development, employees enjoy a supportive environment alongside competitive benefits such as a best-in-class salary and industry-leading learning opportunities. Join us to be part of a unique club that values creativity, quality, and teamwork in delivering unforgettable dining experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sous Chef - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with fellow chefs and industry professionals on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Join culinary groups and forums to share experiences and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best pastry creations. Include photos, descriptions, and any special techniques you’ve mastered. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the restaurant's style and menu. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their culinary philosophy. Bring ideas for seasonal dessert menus that could elevate their offerings!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our culinary family at The Pembroke.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sous Chef - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pastry: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 culinary arts.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your relevant experience in luxury restaurants or clubs, and mention specific pastry techniques you excel at. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points for your skills and experiences, and avoid long paragraphs. 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 apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our culinary family at The Pembroke.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Pembroke Club
✨Know Your Pastry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your pastry techniques and be ready to discuss your experience with plated desserts, chocolate work, and more. Prepare to showcase your creativity and how you've contributed to menu development in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Sous Chef, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Think of examples where you've successfully trained junior chefs or managed a busy service, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Understand the Club's Culinary Philosophy
Research The Pembroke and its culinary offerings. Familiarise yourself with their approach to seasonal produce and member preferences, so you can align your ideas with their vision and show that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Prepare for Event Scenarios
Since events are a big part of the role, think about past experiences where you've executed bespoke pastry menus. Be ready to discuss how you handle last-minute changes and ensure quality during high-pressure situations.
