Pastry Chef

Panthera Restaurant, a premium fine-dining establishment in Maitama, Abuja, is recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Pastry Chef

Location: Maitama, Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

• The Pastry Chef takes full ownership of the pastry, dessert, and baking station.
• You will lead the sweet kitchen, working with theHead Chef, and Sous Chef to deliver five-star desserts and baked goods that match our luxury standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the pastry, dessert, and baking station, keeping it fully stocked, prepped, and ready for service (mise en place) at least 30 minutes before service begins.
• Prepare, bake, and present high-quality pastries, desserts, breads, chocolates, and decorative showpieces according to precise recipes and portion controls.
• Ensure every dessert and baked good leaving the station meets a five-star standard in temperature, texture, flavour balance, and presentation, with zero or minimal items sent back by guests.
• Manage the production schedules for bread and viennoiserie so fresh baked goods are available for all services.
• Prepare and present VIP welcome amenities, celebratory cakes, and mignardises/petit fours for special guest experiences.
• Work with the Sous Chef, Head Chef, and Executive Chef to design and execute seasonal dessert menus, tasting menus, and special event requests.
• Supervise, mentor, and train junior pastry staff, commis, and apprentices, and delegate prep tasks, baking schedules, and chocolate/sugar work effectively.
• Monitor stock levels of specialised pastry ingredients and raise accurate requisitions on time.
• Inspect incoming raw ingredients and reject any that do not meet quality grading.
• Control costs on high-value ingredients (such as vanilla pods, saffron, edible gold, and premium chocolate), track yields, and keep wastage within management's target.
• Store pastry items correctly using FIFO, airtight sealing, and temperature control.

Requirements

• Minimum of HND or a First Degree (preferably in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field).
• Proven experience as a Pastry Chef or Senior Pastry Chef in a fine-dining restaurant, hotel, or high-end bakery.
• Thorough knowledge of all types of baking and pastry work, including breads, viennoiserie, cakes, desserts, chocolate and sugar work, and plated desserts.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and HACCP standards.
• Strong leadership and team-training skills.
• Good cost control, stock management, and record-keeping skills.
• Creativity, attention to detail, and a high standard of personal hygiene and grooming.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen.

Starting Salary
N150,000 / month with Accommodation.