Pastry Chef
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Service & Hospitality, Hotel/Restaurant
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: Negotiable
Position Level: Staff
Department: Operations
Divison: Food & Beverage
Location: Aqua Mekong vessel
Reports to: Head Chef
Purpose:
To assume overall responsibility for all daily pastry and bakery operations across the Aqua Mekong vessel ensuring the creation and presentation of world class, exquisite desserts, eloquently prepared pastries and rustic baked products that consistently exceeds the unique and premium expectations of our distinctinctive brand and our luxury cruise guests. You will be obsessed with the “details” working with premium fresh ingredients executing homemade delicacies of Khmer, Vietnamese and European cuisine, illustrating a good understanding of the latest trends. A key driver in maintaining the highest standards of quality, presentation, hygiene and cost control.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Production & Preparation
- Prepare, bake, and finish a wide variety of breads, pastries, cakes, and other baked products.
- Provide influence to the Global F&B Director in menu design homing in on authenticity, seasonal and appropriate dishes that fit our brand vision
- Oversee the daily production of all items from scratch, including pastries, local and international deserts, artisan breads, ice creams and sorbets
- Ensure all products meet established quality, taste, and visual presentation standards.
- Manage daily production schedules to ensure timely delivery for service.
- Retain consistency to the corporate recipes & highlight any challenges, providing constructive feedback where required.
- Kitchen Operations
- Oversee the setup, cleanliness, and organization of the pastry and bakery stations.
- Ensure all equipment is properly used, cleaned, and maintained.
- Monitor ingredient stock levels and communicate procurement needs in a timely manner.
- Minimize waste through proper planning, utilization of ingredients, and efficient production methods.
- Quality Control & Food Safety
- Ensure strict compliance with food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards at all times.
- Maintain and enforce adherence to all international food safety, sanitation and hygiene regulations including HACCP
- Conduct daily tastings and spot checks to ensure all products consistently meet the highest culinary standards for taste, presentation, portion size and consistency.
- Expertly accommodate a wide range of guests dietary needs and preferences and specific allergy requirements
- Conduct quality checks on all finished products.
- Maintain accurate records of production, wastage, and inventory where required.
- Teamwork & Coordination
- Oversee the correct handling, maintenance and cleanliness of all pastry equipment and report maintenance issues promptly
- Work closely with the Head Chef and culinary team to support overall kitchen operations.
- Provide guidance and assist in training (as required) in pastry and baking techniques.
- Coordinate effectively with service teams to meet operational requirements.
- Assist culinary team in ancillary tasks working in harmony and unity
- Collaborate in provisioning tasks.
- It is mandatory to be involved in welcoming and farewell activities for guests.
- Social Initiative
- Promote environmental initiatives and contribute to maintaining focus and direction in line with the efforts of the Aqua Expeditions team towards environmental conservation and social responsibility.
Expected Profile of Candidates
Languages:
- English - Fluent
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in or Technical in pastry or Gastronomy.
Skills & Knowledge:
General & Technical Skills
- Diploma or certification in Baking, Pastry Arts, or Culinary Arts.
- Minimum 4-5 years of progressive experience in pastry and bread production (hotel, bakery, or F&B environment- 4/5* environment preferred.
- Exceptional technical proficiency in both classic and modern pastry and baking techniques.
- Ideal candidate will have several years’ experience working as a pastry chef in a luxury hotel, high end resort, or preferably luxury cruise line.
- Experience of bread making; ice-creams and restaurant desserts.
- Impeccable attention to detail and a passion for excellence.
- Organised, proactive, and calm under pressure.
- Excellent baking and pastry skills with strong attention to detail and presentation.
- Ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Knowledge of food safety and HACCP standards.
- Aware of current food trends & styles.
- Knowledge of modern pastry techniques.
- Experienced in luxury or fine dining environments, where excellence is a given and passion is everything.
- Passion and enthusiasm for the pastry section.
- Relevant experience working with fresh food.
- Team player with a strong work ethic
- Meticulous, organised and punctual
Soft Skills
- Patience
- Organization
- Teamwork
- Proactiveness
- Working independently
