Job Title: Head Pastry Chef
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £37,688 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week, worked over 5 out of 7 days (including evenings and weekends as required)
Pineapple Recruitment is proud to be working with a prestigious and historic college in Cambridge, offering a supportive and quality-driven kitchen environment. My client is seeking a talented and experienced Head Pastry Chef to join our dedicated catering team. This is an exciting and pivotal role responsible for managing the entire Pastry section and contributing to a high standard of culinary excellence across all college operations. You will be responsible for providing high-quality desserts and pastry for our diverse clientele, which includes students, Fellows, staff, and a busy conference business. This role is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled chef to lead a section and further develop their culinary career.
Key Responsibilities:
The Head Pastry Chef will be expected to:
- Lead and manage the Pastry section, ensuring all food preparation and presentation meets the college's exacting standards and is delivered to the required timeline.
- Work alongside the team to deliver high-quality classical and modern pastry items for all catering areas.
- Develop and write pastry menus appropriate for large-volume college and conference catering.
- Act as a leader, supporting and training fellow Pastry Chefs and junior staff to maintain high standards.
- Ensure correct methods and recipes are consistently followed throughout the section.
- Maintain the highest standards of hygiene and food safety at all times.
- Adhere strictly to all HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and Health and Safety guidelines.
- Be fully aware of food allergies and have an excellent understanding of allergen management and labelling, ensuring appropriate measures are strictly followed.
Ideal Candidate
Experience and Qualifications
- Experience: Previous experience at a minimum of Sous Pastry Chef level is essential. You must have proven experience in high-quality classical and modern pastry.
- Qualifications: You must have a minimum of NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or an equivalent culinary qualification.
Skills and Attributes
The ideal candidate will:
- Possess exceptional cooking skills and deep knowledge of pastry techniques.
- Be highly organised, methodical, and able to manage a section efficiently in a fast-paced, large-volume environment.
- Demonstrate strong menu writing and costing abilities.
- Have clear and effective communication skills, particularly when leading and training a team.
- Be proactive and able to use their own initiative to solve problems and drive standards.
Benerfits:
My client value its staff and offer a comprehensive benefits package:
- Generous Pension Scheme: 14.5% employer contributions and $3 \times$ death in service benefit
- Annual Leave: 33 days of annual holiday (including Public Holidays)
- Health and Wellbeing: Health care cash plan and access to the College gym
- Catering: Free on-site lunch provided
- Family Support: Workplace Nursery Scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Commuting: Car parking (subject to availability/eligibility) and Cycle to work scheme
- The opportunity to work in a stunning environment.
How to Apply
If you are a dedicated Chef de Partie or Jnr Sous Chef looking to make a significant impact in a supportive and rewarding environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to join a team that values creativity, quality, and collaboration.
Pineapple Recruitment is recruiting for this role on behalf of our client and is acting as a Recruitment Agency
Location Cambridge, United Kingdom
Salary £37688 - £37688 Per Annum
Job Reference REF2481
Posted on Posted on 23 October 2025
Category Hospitality