Head Pastry Chef

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Head Pastry Chef to join a beautiful luxury hotel in Aberdeenshire, part of a high quality hotel collection known for premium hospitality, refined food and exceptional guest experiences.

This is a hands on Head Pastry Chef role, working across restaurant service, banqueting, events and afternoon tea. The role is not focused around early starts and early finishes, so it would suit someone who enjoys being present during service, leading from the front and making sure every element leaving the pastry section is delivered to the highest standard.

You will lead a pastry section of four, made up of two Chef de Parties, a Commis Chef and the Head Pastry Chef. The menus change every six weeks, with the role offering full involvement in menu creation, development and seasonal ideas across desserts, afternoon tea, banqueting and wider pastry production.

The property is also looking to develop its bakery offering, so experience or a strong interest in fresh bread, fermented sourdough and bakery production would be highly beneficial. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone from a strong luxury hotel background who wants to take ownership, lead a small team and help raise the pastry offering across a premium food and beverage operation.

Please note, this role does not provide accommodation or sponsorship. Applicants must be able to reliably commute and must already have the right to work in the UK.

Head Pastry Chef Ideal Profile:

• Previous experience as a Head Pastry Chef, Senior Pastry Sous Chef or strong Pastry Sous Chef in a luxury hotel or high quality restaurant environment
• Strong background in luxury hotel pastry, restaurant desserts, banqueting and afternoon tea
• Confident leading a small pastry team and maintaining high standards during service
• Creative and technically skilled, with experience contributing to seasonal menu development
• Strong interest or experience in bakery, fresh bread and fermented sourdough
• Hands on leadership style with the ability to train, support and develop junior chefs
• Calm, organised and able to manage pastry production across multiple areas of the business
• Excellent attention to detail across flavour, texture, presentation and consistency
• Passionate about luxury hospitality, quality ingredients and refined guest experiences

 

Benefits:

• 4 days on, 3 days off
• Opportunity to work within a luxury Aberdeenshire property
• Part of a respected luxury hotel collection
• Hands on pastry leadership role across restaurant, banqueting and afternoon tea
• Creative input and full involvement in menu development
• Menus changing every six weeks
• Opportunity to develop the bakery side of the operation
• Work within a focused pastry team of four
• Strong senior culinary support across the group

Head Pastry Chef Responsibilities:

• Lead the pastry section across restaurant, banqueting, events and afternoon tea
• Manage, train and support a pastry team of four
• Create and develop pastry menus in line with the six weekly menu changes
• Oversee desserts, afternoon tea items, bakery production and banqueting pastry requirements
• Support the development of fresh bread, fermented sourdough and wider bakery standards
• Work closely with the senior culinary team to ensure consistency across all food outlets
• Run service confidently, ensuring every pastry element is prepared and presented to a high standard
• Manage mise en place, ordering, stock control, organisation and section planning
• Maintain excellent standards across food hygiene, allergen awareness, cleanliness and kitchen safety
• Bring creativity, structure and leadership to a luxury pastry operation