A Taste of Britain, a beloved tea house and café open for over 30 years in Wayne, PA, is seeking a highly skilled and creative Executive Pastry Chef to lead our pastry program. We are known for our Afternoon Tea service, signature scones, and exquisite desserts, and we’re looking for a culinary leader who can honor our British-inspired traditions while elevating our offerings with innovation, discipline, and business acumen.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and mentor the pastry department, overseeing pastry chefs, bakers, and prep staff.
- Proactively manage staff through coaching, training, and, when necessary, professional progressive discipline.
- Coach and develop support staff into positions with greater responsibility.
- Oversee staffing needs, scheduling, and labor management, with a strong understanding of labor percentages and budgetary goals.
- Effectively use scheduling platforms and reporting tools to manage labor and productivity.
- Collaborate with the Executive Chef and Kitchen Manager to align pastry production with overall menu strategy.
- Develop and execute menus for scones, desserts, catering, retail, and seasonal specials—especially the dessert trio centerpiece of Afternoon Tea.
- Build and maintain systems for recipe consistency, including checklists, training tools, and visual aids to ensure accuracy whether present on-site or not.
- Plan proactively, developing recipes, systems, and production schedules for upcoming months and seasonal shifts.
- Utilize the program Meez for recipe costing and cost control.
- Conduct monthly inventory, manage ordering, and maintain proper food cost and waste control.
- Uphold strict standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety at all times.
- Support special events, holidays, and catering with creative pastry offerings.
- Position the pastry department for long-term growth and scalability, including potential multi-unit management.
Qualifications
- Seeking seasoned professional with a minimum of 8 years of professional pastry experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Formal training in pastry arts or equivalent professional experience.
- Strong background in scones, fresh baked goods, and plated desserts.
- Demonstrated success in managing, training, and developing a team.
- Experience with staffing, scheduling platforms, and labor management.
- Knowledge of food costing, recipe management, and inventory control (Meez experience a plus).
- Proven ability to design and implement systems (checklists, training tools, visual aids) that drive consistency and accuracy.
- Creative and proactive planner with the ability to prepare menus and recipes well in advance of seasonal needs.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
- Preferred: experience with scones, Afternoon Tea pastries, and British-inspired desserts.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- Health benefits and employee discounts.
- Opportunities for leadership, creativity, and professional growth.
- A supportive, values-driven culture rooted in hospitality and excellence.
If you are a disciplined, creative pastry professional with a passion for leadership and business-minded management, we invite you to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $58,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Food provided
- Health insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- ServSafe Manager Certification (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Wayne, PA 19087 (Required)
Work Location: In person
