At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious desserts and baked goods while collaborating with a dynamic kitchen team.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a leading contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, discounts, free meals, and bespoke training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on food education and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences with your creative pastry skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in pastry or baking, with a passion for creativity and food safety.
The predicted salary is between 32643 - 32643 € per year.
Company Description
Location: Dulwich Prep & Senior, SE21 7AA
Contract Type: Term-time plus - 44.4 weeks paid including holidays.
Salary: £32,643 per annum (£18.38 per hour)
Why Join Us?
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development through apprenticeships for all experience levels.
About the Role:
We are looking for a talented and creative Pastry Chef to join the kitchen team at Dulwich Prep & Senior. You will be responsible for producing a variety of high-quality baked goods, breads and desserts, supporting the wider culinary operation while adding a distinctive flair to the school’s food offering. From traditional bakes to innovative patisserie, your work will play a key part in delivering an exceptional dining experience for pupils, staff, and guests.
You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
The safety and wellbeing of the people we serve is at the heart of everything we do. A key element is effective allergen management; achieved through training, communication, and care, we create mealtimes where every pupil has a safe experience. Our mission is simple: to provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their job and our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.
Job Description 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 Candidate Profile:
- Demonstrable experience in a Pastry Chef, Baker, or patisserie role, ideally within a contract catering environment, hotel, or high-end food service setting
- A genuine passion for pastry, with a flair for creativity and innovation in menu development
- Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring precision in preparation and excellence in presentation
- A strong understanding of food safety, allergen management, and best practices in kitchen hygiene
- A proactive and collaborative team player, with the ability to work independently when required
- Confident and professional when working in a school environment, with an understanding of the needs of young people
Additional Information
We pride ourselves on:
- People first: We’re a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
- Great food, always: Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
- Food education: We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
- Respect in everything we do: Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
- Fresh thinking: New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
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 in London employer: WSH Group
At Holroyd Howe, we pride ourselves on fostering a people-first culture that values creativity and collaboration, making us an exceptional employer for aspiring Pastry Chefs. Located in the vibrant community of Dulwich, our team enjoys a supportive work environment with bespoke training opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us to not only craft delightful pastries but also contribute to the culinary education of young minds while enjoying unique benefits like free meals and discounts on high street brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastry Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your chef's whites ready and practice your best pastry skills! When you land that interview, bring along some of your signature bakes to showcase your talent. Nothing speaks louder than a delicious dessert!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other chefs and culinary professionals on social media or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the school’s food ethos and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their mission. Show them you’re not just a pastry whiz but also passionate about healthy eating and food education!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastry Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pastry:When writing your application, let your love for pastry shine through! Share your experiences and what inspires you in the kitchen. We want to see that creative flair and genuine enthusiasm for baking.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experience in pastry or baking, and mention any specific skills that align with our needs, like allergen management or menu development.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that showcases your qualifications without unnecessary fluff!
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 keen on joining our team at Holroyd Howe!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Show Off Your Passion for Pastry
Make sure to express your genuine love for pastry during the interview. Share stories about your favourite creations or any innovative dessert ideas you’ve developed. This will help demonstrate your creativity and enthusiasm, which are key traits for a Pastry Chef.
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the ingredients commonly used in the school’s menu and be ready to discuss how you would incorporate seasonal produce into your desserts. This shows that you understand the importance of fresh, high-quality ingredients and can contribute to the school's healthy eating ethos.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
Since collaboration is essential in a kitchen environment, be prepared to talk about your experience working as part of a team. Share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with others to create menus or solve problems, showcasing your proactive and supportive nature.
✨Be Prepared for Allergen Management Questions
Given the emphasis on allergen management in the job description, brush up on your knowledge of food safety and allergen controls. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure the safety of pupils with dietary restrictions, demonstrating your commitment to their wellbeing.
