Lead Pastry Chef

Closing Date:

07/08/2026

Job Category:

Catering Staff

Contract 6 - 12 months

Position Lead Pastry Chef

Salary£17.50

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

Working Pattern

Working Monday - Friday shifts either 6.30-14.30 or 10.30-19.00. with occasional weekends.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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!

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.