At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious pastries, cakes, and desserts for a vibrant school community.
- Company: Join the passionate catering team at Cheltenham College, a leading independent school.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days' holiday, free meals, and discounts on brands you love.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Showcase your creativity and passion for baking in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Pastry Chef or Baker with a love for quality and detail.
The predicted salary is between 14.1 - 14.1 £ per hour.
At Cheltenham College, you'll be part of a passionate and supportive catering team that takes pride in delivering exceptional food every day. As part of Holroyd Howe, you'll enjoy a rewarding career with excellent benefits, including:
- 28 days' holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to support causes you care about
- 3 days' grandparent leave
- 24 weeks' enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training and development opportunities
- Career progression through apprenticeships and professional development
- Pension scheme and life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema tickets and holidays via Perkbox
- Wellbeing Hub and Employee Assistance Programme
- Free meals while on duty
- A supportive team environment with opportunities to develop your culinary career
We are looking for a talented, passionate and creative Pastry Chef to join our award-winning catering team at Cheltenham College. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your skills by producing an outstanding range of breads, pastries, cakes and desserts for our pupils, staff, parents and guests. Working alongside our experienced chefs, you'll play an important role in creating fresh, seasonal menus while bringing innovation and creativity to our pastry offering.
Whether you're preparing handcrafted artisan breads for breakfast, elegant desserts for formal dinners, or delicious cakes for hospitality events, your attention to detail and passion for quality will help deliver an exceptional dining experience across the College.
Cheltenham College is one of the UK's leading independent schools, renowned for its outstanding education, rich traditions and vibrant community. Food plays a central role in College life, and our catering team is committed to providing fresh, nutritious and exciting meals that enhance the experience of every pupil and member of staff.
As part of Holroyd Howe, the UK's leading contract caterer specialising exclusively in independent schools, you'll be joining a business that believes exceptional food starts with exceptional people. We champion fresh ingredients, sustainability, innovation and continuous development, giving our chefs the opportunity to thrive in a professional and supportive environment.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Preparing a wide range of high-quality breads, pastries, cakes and desserts.
- Supporting daily food production across the College.
- Creating seasonal and innovative pastry offerings.
- Assisting with hospitality, special events and formal dining occasions.
- Maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation and consistency.
- Ensuring excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen management practices.
- Working collaboratively with the wider kitchen team to deliver an outstanding food service.
- Supporting menu development and contributing fresh ideas to enhance the pastry offer.
If you're looking for an opportunity to develop your career within one of the UK's most prestigious independent schools and be part of a team that's passionate about exceptional food, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare and present a range of freshly made desserts, cakes, and baked goods to a consistently high standard.
- Collaborate with the Head Chef and wider kitchen team to create innovative, seasonal dessert menus.
- Maintain an organised and hygienic pastry section, ensuring all daily tasks are completed to specification.
- Support with food preparation and production for both core school dining and hospitality events.
- Follow all food safety, hygiene, and allergen management procedures with diligence and care.
- Cater thoughtfully to pupils' individual dietary needs, including allergens and specific requirements.
- Champion the school’s healthy eating ethos, contributing positively to food education and pupil wellbeing.
- Accountability for following and championing allergen controls.
Qualifications:
- Previous experience as a Pastry Chef or Baker in a professional kitchen.
- Passion for creating high-quality pastries and desserts.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- A positive attitude and strong team-working skills.
- Knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen management.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining exceptional standards.
- A genuine passion for fresh food, creativity and continuous improvement.
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Pastry Chef / Baker in Cheltenham employer: WSH Group
As a General Manager at our Stafford location, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences in a supportive and innovative work environment. We offer a range of benefits including generous holiday allowances, bespoke training opportunities, and a focus on employee wellbeing, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to lead a large-scale catering operation with significant growth potential, where your contributions will directly impact our commitment to excellence in hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastry Chef / Baker in Cheltenham
✨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 WSH Group. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to WSH Group
Don't be shy about reaching out to WSH Group 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 / Baker in Cheltenham
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 WSH Group 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 WSH Group
✨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!
