We're Hiring: Head Pastry Chef Location: Central London Salary: £42,000 £45,000 per annum Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent Prestigious Client Site Do you have a passion for leading a team and creating exquisite desserts and baked goods? Houston & Hawkes are looking for a talented and creative Head Pastry Chef to join our culinary team at a prestigious client site in Central London. This is a fantastic opportunity for a pastry professional who takes pride in fine patisserie, innovation, and leadership. You'll be responsible for managing the pastry section and crafting both classic and modern sweet and savoury creations from beautifully plated desserts to artisan breads and bespoke cakes. What You'll Be Doing: Leading the pastry section and overseeing day-to-day kitchen operations Creating an imaginative and high-quality selection of desserts, pastries, and baked items Managing and mentoring a dedicated pastry team to deliver excellence Working closely with the Head Chef and Hospitality Manager to plan menus and tailor event offerings Innovating with new recipes for fine dining and retail-style coffee concepts Upholding standards of quality, flavour, and presentation Managing stock, ordering supplies, and working to budget Maintaining a clean, safe and compliant kitchen environment Adapting recipes for dietary needs (e.g. gluten-free, sugar-free) Championing the company's food ethos through creativity and consistency What We're Looking For: Proven experience in a senior pastry role, ideally in fine dining or 5-star settings A genuine passion for pastry, baking, and culinary artistry Strong leadership and team management skills Exceptional creativity and attention to detail Solid knowledge of food safety, allergens, and kitchen hygiene standards Excellent time management and organisational skills Relevant culinary/pastry qualifications (preferred) Experience working in high-end contract catering or hospitality environments What We Offer: £42,000 £45,000 salary, depending on experience Opportunity to work with an award-winning food team and Director of Food Exciting, evolving menus to showcase your creativity Top 20 Hospitality Company to Work For recognition Free meals while on duty Contributory pension scheme Life assurance (2x salary) Birthday off paid Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Company events, including our all-company Christmas celebration Recognition schemes and staff awards Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave Referral bonuses Ongoing training and development, with clear progression opportunities Who We Are: Houston & Hawkes is an innovative, independent contract caterer based in the South East. We're proud to be an award-winning and certified B Corp company, ranked among the Top 30 hospitality employers in the UK. We deliver bespoke, seasonal food experiences across workplaces, events, and hospitality spaces and we build teams who share our passion for flavour, service, and creativity. Ready to Join? If you're a creative and ambitious pastry chef ready to lead with flair, apply today and bring your talent to Houston & Hawkes where excellence is always on the menu.

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