Pastry Chef de Partie – Retreat East, Suffolk
Up to £35,000 per annum + tips | 48 hours per week
Join the kitchen team at Retreat East.
Set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, Retreat East is a beautifully restored rural retreat bringing together exceptional stays, dining, spa experiences, weddings and events.
We are looking for a talented and experienced Pastry Chef de Partie to join our kitchen team and play an important part in the evolving food story at Retreat East.
This is an exciting opportunity for a pastry chef who cares about their craft, takes pride in the details and wants to develop within an ambitious, quality-led kitchen.
Our food operation is varied, with pastry playing an important role across dining in The Great Barn, weddings, private events, afternoon teas and seasonal experiences. From beautifully finished desserts to cakes, pastries and event menus, there is plenty of opportunity to develop your skills and work across a broad range of pastry.
The opportunity
As Pastry Chef de Partie, you will work closely with the Head Chef and wider kitchen team to deliver consistently high standards across our pastry offering.
We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for pastry and desserts, who understands the importance of flavour, presentation and consistency.
You'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas, work with seasonal ingredients and develop your experience across a diverse hospitality operation.
This is a hands-on role within a busy kitchen and would suit someone who enjoys being part of a team, wants to continue developing their craft and takes real pride in what leaves the kitchen.
What you'll be responsible for
- Preparing and producing desserts, pastries, cakes and other pastry items to a consistently high standard
- Supporting the development of seasonal desserts and pastry menus
- Delivering pastry across restaurant service, weddings, events and afternoon teas
- Ensuring excellent presentation and attention to detail
- Working with quality, seasonal ingredients
- Maintaining consistency across preparation and service
- Managing your section effectively during busy services
- Supporting stock control, ordering and minimising wastage
- Maintaining excellent food hygiene, allergen and kitchen standards
- Working collaboratively with the wider kitchen team
- Contributing ideas and creativity as our food offering continues to evolve
About you
We are looking for someone with professional pastry experience within a quality kitchen environment.
You may already be working as a Pastry Chef de Partie or be an experienced Commis Pastry Chef ready to progress, but you should have a strong foundation in pastry and the confidence to take responsibility for your section.
Ideally, your experience will have been gained within a quality hotel, restaurant, luxury hospitality venue or established food-led operation.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Previous professional pastry experience
- A strong understanding of core pastry techniques
- A genuine passion for desserts, baking and pastry
- Excellent attention to detail and presentation
- The ability to work calmly and consistently during busy periods
- Good organisation and time management
- An understanding of food hygiene and allergen requirements
- A positive attitude and willingness to continue learning and developing
- The ability to work effectively as part of a wider kitchen brigade
Experience within an operation incorporating restaurant dining, weddings, events or afternoon tea would be an advantage.
Why Retreat East?
Retreat East is more than a restaurant and more than a traditional hotel.
Our Suffolk estate brings together individually designed barns and accommodation, The Great Barn, spa experiences, weddings, celebrations and events – all surrounded by the countryside that inspires what we do.
For an ambitious pastry chef, that means variety, creativity and plenty of opportunity to develop.
You will be joining Retreat East at an exciting time for our food offering, with the opportunity to be part of a team with ambitions to establish the estate as a genuine food destination in Suffolk.
The package
Up to £35,000 per annum, depending on experience
Plus tips
48 hours per week
If you're passionate about pastry, proud of your craft and looking for an opportunity where you can develop while creating something special, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply with your CV and a short introduction telling us about your pastry experience and what interests you about joining Retreat East.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a drivers licence ?
- Do you have your own transport to reach the site ?
- Do you have experience in a similar Chef de Partie role ?
Work Location: In person
