Pastry Chef

About the role

Talent Grid Africa, on behalf of a leading hospitality client in Nairobi, is looking for a passionate and creative Pastry Chef to lead the pastry kitchen. The role involves preparing premium baked goods, developing seasonal menus and ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare a wide range of pastries, cakes, desserts, chocolates, breads, viennoiserie and specialty baked products following company recipes.
• Develop innovative seasonal menus and signature desserts aligned with market trends.
• Oversee daily pastry kitchen operations, planning production and meeting customer and retail order deadlines.
• Maintain strict food hygiene, sanitation and HACCP standards in compliance with regulations.
• Monitor product quality, taste, texture, freshness and presentation throughout production.
• Manage ingredient inventory, stock rotation and ordering to minimise waste.
• Control food costs, portioning and wastage to achieve profitability targets.
• Supervise, mentor and train pastry assistants and junior kitchen staff.
• Ensure safe operation of bakery equipment and report maintenance needs.

Required profile

• Diploma or Certificate in Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts or related field.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Pastry Chef in a reputable bakery, café, restaurant or hotel.
• Strong knowledge of pastry production techniques, chocolate work, artisan baking, cake decoration and dessert presentation.
• Food Safety/HACCP certification is an advantage.

Required skills

• Pastry production techniques
• Chocolate work
• Artisan baking
• Cake decoration
• Dessert presentation
• Food safety
• HACCP compliance