Lead Pastry Chef

Job Introduction

Contract  6 - 12 months 

Position  Lead Pastry Chef 

Location Hurstpierpoint College, College Lane, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks,

Salary £17.50

Days per week  5 out of 6 (Monday to Saturday)

Hours  between 18 and 30 per week - variable and flexible

Working Pattern  Tuesday and Thursdays 17:00 - 22:00, Saturday 10:00 - 18:00, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 16:00 - 20:00

Plan Your Journey | Traveline  BN6 9JS.

Hurstpierpoint College (known as Hurst) is a thriving co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, Located between Haywards Heath and Brighton, with excellent transport links to London and an extensive network of school transport services across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, Combining a rich heritage with a forward-thinking approach to education, Hurst provides an inspiring environment in which pupils and staff can flourish.

The College comprises a Junior Prep School, Senior Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form, educating over 1,300 pupils. Alongside day places, Hurst offers flexible, weekly and full boarding options, creating a vibrant and diverse school community.

As an employer, Hurst is a welcoming and ambitious community of around 480 staff, united by a shared commitment to helping young people achieve their personal best and preparing them for success in their future lives and careers.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the pastry kitchen, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency and presentation across all desserts, pastries and baked goods.
• Create innovative menus and seasonal offerings that delight pupils, staff and guests.
• Support the delivery of hospitality and special events, producing high-quality food for a range of occasions.
• Manage stock, ordering, food costs and wastage to ensure an efficient and well-run operation.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, allergen management and health & safety compliance.
• Coach, motivate and develop members of the pastry team, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment.

What You Bring:

• Significant pastry experience within a professional kitchen environment.
• Strong technical pastry skills and a passion for creating exceptional food.
• A creative and innovative approach to menu development and presentation.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to perform under pressure.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing team members.
• A commitment to high standards, customer service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Relevant culinary qualifications (NVQ or equivalent) and a Food Hygiene qualification would be advantageous.

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and supportive work environment

• Competitive salary and benefits

• Full training and protective uniform provided

• Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support

• Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support

• Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits

• Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships

• Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities

At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!

Apply today and help us create a brighter future!

Note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.