Employee Records
Pastry Head Chef
Sopwell House
Full Time
5 Years Experience
Coins Icon Competitive salary
Pastry Head Chef
Sopwell House

Full Time
5 Years Experience
Coins Icon Competitive salary
Skills
Fine Dining Experience
Safe Food Handling
Kitchen Safety
Staff Scheduling
Menu Development
Fast-Paced Experience
+3
Description

Full-Time Position (48 hours) - Flexible shifts available across from 10 am through to 12:00 pm.

Your country home away from home, nestled within 12 acres of picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. Sopwell House is a luxurious, family owned Georgian country house hotel offering timeless elegance and modern comfort. We’re proud to be a place where exceptional service is delivered with warmth, pride and purpose.

We’re currently looking for a passionate and experienced Pastry Head Chef to lead our pastry kitchen and inspire our talented team.

Your role in our family:

As Pastry Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the pastry operation across the hotel, ensuring creativity, consistency and excellence at every level.

  • Lead and manage the daily operations of the pastry kitchen, ensuring the highest standards of quality and presentation
  • Develop innovative, seasonal pastry menus across all outlets including restaurant, banqueting, afternoon tea and events
  • Inspire, train and motivate a highly skilled pastry team, fostering growth and maintaining exceptional standards
  • Maintain full control over food costs, stock management, ordering, and wastage to meet financial targets
  • Ensure all recipes, costings, and specifications are accurate and consistently followed
  • Drive new concepts, trends, and creative ideas within the pastry offering
  • Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and other departments to deliver a seamless guest experience
  • Oversee hygiene, food safety, and allergen compliance in line with legislation and company standards
  • Engage with guests where required, ensuring bespoke requests are delivered to the highest level
  • Take responsibility for recruitment, training, rotas, and team development within the pastry department

What would make you the perfect fit?

  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior pastry leadership role within a luxury hotel or fine dining environment
  • Professional qualification in Culinary Arts, Patisserie or related field (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent preferred)
  • Strong leadership skills with proven experience managing, developing, and motivating teams
  • Expert knowledge of classical and modern patisserie techniques
  • Highly skilled in chocolate work, sugar work, artisan baking, plated desserts, afternoon tea, and petits fours
  • Strong commercial awareness with experience managing food costs, labour, and kitchen budgets
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills with a proactive, hands-on approach
  • Up to date knowledge of food trends, ingredients, and presentation styles
  • Food Safety Level 2 Certificate

The Best Bit:

  • Wide range of training and development opportunities
  • Free staff meals and parking
  • Discounted food & beverage, accommodation and spa
  • 28 days holiday + an extra day off on your birthday
  • 30% discount on spa treatments and spa days
  • 10% discount on spa products
  • “Recommend a Friend” bonus scheme
  • Free uniform
  • Discounted global hotel rates

At Sopwell House, we live by our Vision, Purpose and Values.

We are dedicated to creating a world of ‘Perfect Contentment’ for both our team members and guests alike - ‘Spreading kindness one act at a time’ along the way.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. If you have not received a response within 14 days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion

Full-Time Position (48 hours) - Flexible shifts available across from 10 am through to 12:00 pm.

Your country home away from home, nestled within 12 acres of picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. Sopwell House is a luxurious, family owned Georgian country house hotel offering timeless elegance and modern comfort. We’re proud to be a place where exceptional service is delivered with warmth, pride and purpose.

We’re currently looking for a passionate and experienced Pastry Head Chef to lead our pastry kitchen and inspire our talented team.

Your role in our family:

As Pastry Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the pastry operation across the hotel, ensuring creativity, consistency and excellence at every level.

  • Lead and manage the daily operations of the pastry kitchen, ensuring the highest standards of quality and presentation
  • Develop innovative, seasonal pastry menus across all outlets including restaurant, banqueting, afternoon tea and events
  • Inspire, train and motivate a highly skilled pastry team, fostering growth and maintaining exceptional standards
  • Maintain full control over food costs, stock management, ordering, and wastage to meet financial targets
  • Ensure all recipes, costings, and specifications are accurate and consistently followed
  • Drive new concepts, trends, and creative ideas within the pastry offering
  • Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and other departments to deliver a seamless guest experience
  • Oversee hygiene, food safety, and allergen compliance in line with legislation and company standards
  • Engage with guests where required, ensuring bespoke requests are delivered to the highest level
  • Take responsibility for recruitment, training, rotas, and team development within the pastry department

What would make you the perfect fit?

  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior pastry leadership role within a luxury hotel or fine dining environment
  • Professional qualification in Culinary Arts, Patisserie or related field (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent preferred)
  • Strong leadership skills with proven experience managing, developing, and motivating teams
  • Expert knowledge of classical and modern patisserie techniques
  • Highly skilled in chocolate work, sugar work, artisan baking, plated desserts, afternoon tea, and petits fours
  • Strong commercial awareness with experience managing food costs, labour, and kitchen budgets
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills with a proactive, hands-on approach
  • Up to date knowledge of food trends, ingredients, and presentation styles
  • Food Safety Level 2 Certificate

The Best Bit:

  • Wide range of training and development opportunities
  • Free staff meals and parking
  • Discounted food & beverage, accommodation and spa
  • 28 days holiday + an extra day off on your birthday
  • 30% discount on spa treatments and spa days
  • 10% discount on spa products
  • “Recommend a Friend” bonus scheme
  • Free uniform
  • Discounted global hotel rates

At Sopwell House, we live by our Vision, Purpose and Values.

We are dedicated to creating a world of ‘Perfect Contentment’ for both our team members and guests alike - ‘Spreading kindness one act at a time’ along the way.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. If you have not received a response within 14 days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion

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