Pastry Head Chef

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Pastry Head Chef to lead our pastry team at The Hotel Windsor, an iconic Australian hotel embodying the architecture and elegance of a European style ‘Grand Hotel’, situated on Spring Street and located at the ‘Paris’ end of Melbourne.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will oversee daily operations at the hotel and support the Head of Patisserie in overseeing our other hospitality venues. Ensuring the highest standards of quality, creativity, and compliance with food safety regulations.

About Us

We pride ourselves of our Food & Beverage selection as much as the Hotel itself. With multiple venues including our Cricketers Bar, One Eleven Restaurant and multiple function spaces, we cater to a large variety of guests. Our Afternoon Tea is one of the most popular in Australia and it’s been served since the Hotel was founded in 1883. Held in our elegant One Eleven Restaurant, Afternoon Tea is served on three-tiered silver stands with ribbon sandwiches, savoury pastries, French patisserie, and freshly baked scones with house made Windsor jam and double cream.

Our group boasts a collection of world-class hospitality venues including hatted premium dining restaurant Aru, gluten-free bakery Kudo, and all-day dining brasserie Antara, each offering unique experiences for our valued guests. At the heart of our success is a passion for exceptional service and a commitment to excellence in all that we do. We welcome positive, passionate, honest and hardworking individuals into our team and commit ourselves to the highest professional standards.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Patisserie, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of our pastry department, from menu development to team leadership, process optimization, and maintaining an exceptional guest experience. Your expertise will be instrumental in upholding our reputation for excellence, particularly in our renowned Afternoon Tea service. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-end hospitality environment and is committed to innovation, precision, and team development.

Your day-to-day:

• Oversee pastry kitchen operations, with a particular focus on our renowned Afternoon Tea and banquet offerings.
• Manage stock and inventory, ensuring quality control and consistency across all pastry preparations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a young and growing team, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Ensure compliance with all OH&S and food safety regulations, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and workplace safety.
• Streamline kitchen procedures to enhance efficiency, consistency, and overall operational performance.
• Uphold quality standards, ensuring every pastry item meets our signature level of craftsmanship and presentation.

Our successful candidate will have:

• Extensive pastry experience, with at least two years in a senior role, preferably within a hotel setting. Experience in large-scale restaurants or catering operations is also highly valued.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and guide a team to success.
• A deep understanding of kitchen operations, including food safety, OH&S compliance, and best practices.
• Exceptional communication skills, fostering collaboration across multiple departments while maintaining a positive and supportive work culture.
• A high level of organization and attention to detail, ensuring consistency and excellence in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability, with availability to work weekends, public holidays, and a dynamic schedule as required.

Discover what awaits you:

• Immerse yourself in the storied legacy of Melbourne’s iconic Grand Heritage Hotel, where every day presents a chance to shape its enduring narrative.
• Experience the ultimate convenience of a prime CBD location, mere steps away from public transport and at the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant city.
• Enjoy complimentary staff meals and drying cleaning services.
• Opportunities to take your career to new heights, with plenty of room for growth within our ever-expanding hospitality group.
• Indulge in exclusive discounts across our esteemed collection of venues.

If this sounds like you, we can’t wait to hear from you! Take the next step in your career by applying now and joining our exceptional team at The Hotel Windsor.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our team, and we encourage and celebrate our diversity. First Nations peoples, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, women and people of all ages are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workplace that reflects the community in which we live.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for this role. You must have full permanent working rights in Australia to be considered.