Executive Pastry Chef for Casual Cafe

**Job Description: Executive Pastry Chef**

**Overview**
A growing Italian-inspired bakery, pastry shop, and specialty coffee concept in Óbidos, Portugal is seeking a highly skilled Executive Pastry Chef to lead its pastry kitchen. The operation focuses on authentic Italian and European pastry traditions, artisanal craftsmanship, and high-end café and retail offerings. As the business expands, the Executive Pastry Chef will play a critical role in defining the creative and operational direction of the pastry program.

**Role Summary**
The Executive Pastry Chef will oversee the full pastry operation, including recipe development, production management, quality control, team leadership, and innovation. This role requires a refined technical foundation in traditional Italian and European pastry-making, a strong aesthetic sensibility, and the ability to translate culinary vision into consistent daily output.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Lead and supervise the pastry team, ensuring highest standards in taste, texture, and presentation.
- Develop, test, and refine recipes for Italian-inspired pastries, desserts, and specialty items for café service and retail sales.
- Create seasonal pastries, plated desserts, cakes, and signature sweets aligned with the brand’s culinary identity.
- Ensure consistent quality, visual excellence, and product integrity across the full pastry range.
- Oversee ingredient sourcing, inventory management, and supplier relationships to optimize quality and cost efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP and Portuguese food safety and hygiene regulations.
- Plan and manage daily and weekly production schedules for café operations and special orders.
- Train, mentor, and motivate junior pastry chefs to uphold operational standards and a culture of craftsmanship.
- Collaborate with management on menu design, new product launches, and special events.
- Maintain a disciplined, clean, organized pastry kitchen that reflects professional standards.
- Proven experience as a Head Pastry Chef or Senior Pastry Chef within a premium bakery, patisserie, or café environment.
- Expertise in Italian and European pastry traditions, including viennoiseries, tarts, bomboloni, choux, biscotti, semifreddo, mousse cakes, and holiday specialties such as panettone and colomba.
- Strong artistic sensibility with refined plating and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and organizational capabilities to manage people, production, and workflow.
- Strong understanding of pastry science, temperature control, and ingredient behavior.
- Solid knowledge of HACCP and industry food safety standards.
- Professional pastry or culinary education preferred.
- Strong understanding of bakery operations is a plus.
- Fluency in English required; Portuguese or Italian an advantage.
- Passion for innovation, visual craftsmanship, and authentic culinary expression.

**What the Role Offers**
- Opportunity to lead the pastry operations of a growing Italian-inspired brand in a highly picturesque and culturally rich setting.
- Creative autonomy to shape menus and develop signature products that define the café’s culinary identity.
- Supportive leadership environment within an international hospitality structure.
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience.
- Clear growth potential within the organization.

**Proposed Remuneration Package**
- Monthly gross salary: €1500-€2000
- Annual holiday allowance and Christmas allowance
- Shared accommodation in a team apartment

**Location**
Óbidos, Portugal

Pay: 1,500.00€ - 2,000.00€ per month

Application Question(s):

- Do you know how to work with sourdough breads, focaccia, croissants, bomboloni, biscotti, pasticcotti, tarts, and seasonal specialties such as panettone or colomba?
- Do you have a European passport?
- Do you have experience as a Head Pastry Chef or Senior Pastry Chef within a premium bakery, patisserie, or café environment?

**Language**:

- English (required)