Job Description: Head Pastry Chef

Role Overview

Head Pastry Chef to oversee all pastry operations across a luxury hotel in Newcastle, delivering exceptional quality, creativity, and consistency in every dessert and afternoon tea offering. Led by an award-winning Executive Chef, this is a key leadership role within a fast-paced, fine dining environment. No accommodation / sponsorship is available at this time.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all pastry production across the hotel, ensuring consistent standards for desserts, afternoon tea, breads, pastries, and daily specials.
• Lead and manage the pastry team, providing direction, training, mentoring, and performance development in a busy professional kitchen.
• Create and develop seasonal dessert menus and afternoon tea offerings, aligning with new industry trends and guest preferences.
• Develop and refine pastry and baking programmes, including:
  • Fine desserts and plated work
  • Chocolate work and showpieces
  • Artisan breads and pastry production
  • Special menus and seasonal features
• Maintain high standards of quality, taste, presentation, and portion control throughout service.
• Ensure efficient production planning, stock control, cost awareness, and waste reduction for pastry operations.
• Uphold kitchen standards for hygiene, food safety, and compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and wider kitchen team to support fine dining service and special events.

Person Specification

• Proven experience as a Head Pastry Chef or Senior Pastry Chef in a high-volume, high-pressure hotel or restaurant environment.
• Confident leadership in directing and developing a pastry team within a professional kitchen.
• Strong passion for high-quality pastry, desserts, baking, chocolate work, and seasonal ingredients.
• Demonstrable ability to create and execute seasonal menus, afternoon tea offerings, and pastry specials with creativity and consistency.
• Thorough understanding of production systems, service flow, and quality control in a luxury/fine dining setting.
• Solid knowledge of food safety, allergens, and safe working practices.