An exciting opportunity has arisen at Melbicks Garden Centre.
Are you passionate about pastry, desserts, and delivering exceptional culinary experiences? We’re looking for a Head Pastry Chef to lead our kitchen brigade, maintain outstanding food standards, and create memorable dishes that keep our customers coming back for more.
Position: Head Pastry Chef
Location: Melbicks Garden Centre
Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Why Join Us?
At Melbicks Garden Centre, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional food quality in a welcoming and inspiring environment. Our teams are supported, empowered, and valued, with opportunities to develop their skills and build rewarding careers.
We are committed to creating a unique customer experience through inspirational retailing and dining, combining style, innovation, and exceptional service. Our customers expect the very best, and our food offering plays a key role in exceeding those expectations.
As part of a thriving and ambitious business, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career within a forward-thinking environment that values creativity, quality, and excellence.
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an ambitious and creative Head Pastry Chef to take full operational and culinary responsibility for the pastry kitchen. You’ll lead a talented team, oversee food quality, cost control, and presentation, and ensure the kitchen operates smoothly while consistently delighting customers.
This is a hands-on leadership role, offering genuine ownership and a clear pathway for progression within a premium retail and dining environment.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading and developing the kitchen brigade, ensuring exceptional food quality and presentation
- Planning menus, recipes, and costings to achieve food cost and gross profit targets
- Allocating duties and supervising kitchen staff in baking and preparation, providing technical advice and guidance
- Personally preparing dishes and creating attractive pastry displays
- Controlling portion sizes, monitoring waste, and training staff to maintain consistency and quality
- Inspecting dishes before service to ensure they meet company standards
- Managing stock, supplies, and equipment, including purchasing, stock rotation, and maintenance
- Ensuring compliance with hygiene, health, and safety regulations
- Handling customer feedback and food-related complaints professionally
- Conducting regular chef meetings, staff inductions, and annual appraisals
- Preparing for and participating in special events and functions, which may occasionally take place outside normal working hours
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a senior chef or leadership role within a pastry or restaurant environment
- Strong technical knowledge of pastry and dessert preparation
- The ability to lead, train, and inspire a kitchen team
- Excellent understanding of food cost control, stock management, and portion control
- Sound knowledge of hygiene, health, and safety regulations
- A hands-on, proactive, and detail-oriented approach to kitchen management
- A passion for quality, creativity, and delivering exceptional customer experiences
What's in It for You?
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- A key leadership role with real responsibility and autonomy
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
- A supportive and high-quality food environment where creativity is encouraged
- The chance to be part of a business that values excellence, innovation, and outstanding customer service
Join us and help create exceptional dining experiences that inspire our customers and make every visit memorable.
Work Location: In person
