Head Pastry Chef

About the role

The President Hotel is seeking a Head Pastry Chef to lead its pastry kitchen and create world‑class desserts, pastries and confectionery for a luxury hotel environment. This senior position combines creativity, technical excellence and strong leadership to uphold the hotel’s high culinary standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and inspire the pastry brigade while maintaining exceptional culinary standards.
• Design and refine dessert menus, pastries, plated desserts and specialty items.
• Manage daily operations of the pastry kitchen, including production planning and service readiness.
• Conduct tastings, inspections and quality‑control checks to ensure consistency and presentation.
• Oversee procurement, stock control and storage for freshness and cost efficiency.
• Coordinate pastry production for restaurants, banqueting, room service and events.
• Enforce strict hygiene, sanitation and food‑safety standards in line with HACCP and hotel protocols.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef, F&B team and front‑of‑house staff to enhance the overall dining experience.
• Train, guide and develop pastry team members and stay current with international pastry trends.

Required profile

• Formal pastry or culinary qualification.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in luxury hotels or fine‑dining environments.
• At least 3 years in a senior or Sous/Head Pastry Chef leadership role.
• Proven expertise in classic and contemporary pastry techniques, chocolate, sugar artistry and plated desserts.
• Strong leadership and team‑development abilities.
• Excellent organisational, planning and operational skills.
• Knowledge of hygiene, food safety and hotel kitchen compliance standards.
• South African ID or valid work permit.

Required skills

• Pastry techniques
• Chocolate work
• Sugar artistry
• Plated desserts
• HACCP compliance
• Food safety
• Stock control

What we offer

• Opportunity to be part of a passionate culinary team focused on excellence and creativity.
• Work in a high‑volume luxury hotel environment.