Executive Pastry Chef

Vessel type: Ocean-going cruise ship

Purpose of Position

Effectively supervise and manage the onboard Pastry/Bakery Production, ensuring that Quality Standards and Procedures are in line with Company Rules and Regulations.  The Pastry Chef ensures that pastry personnel is guided and trained in order to be productive.

Your Responsibilities

• Responsible for leading and supporting a multi cultural team of Galley personnel, ensuring the highest level of crew satisfaction and productivity.
• The Pastry Chef is responsible for a smooth and efficient food production operation in all outlets.
• Runs a disciplined department, being in full control of the pastry and bakery.
• Ensures that Menus, Recipes, Guidelines and Methods provided by the corporate office are followed accordingly.
• Maintains  a  safe  and  clean  work  environment  by  complying  with  USPH  and  Company Regulations.
• Supervises and checks all pastry outlets, ensuring that standards are followed accordingly.
• Produces and maintains the expected level of food quality in his/her area of responsibility.
• Constantly analyzes recipes  and  the  ongoing  food  productions  for  any  possible improvements.
• Ensures ongoing training, following set standards.
• Works closely with the Kitchen Steward in order to accomplish tasks related to inventory, equipment control and maintenance, USPH Sanitation Rules/Regulations, training and re- enforcement.
• Oversees the electronic requisitioning and ordering process to ensure the proper usage of ingredients.
• Possesses good guest interaction skills and deals with feedback received.
• Ensures that the Pastry/Bakery Department  is  productive  and  operates  with  the  least supervision required from the Executive Chef.
• Provides Crew and Staff Mess with a selection of pastry and bakery goods for all meals.
• Assist the Executive Chef to prepare additional working schedules (Embarkation Day, Special Functions, etc) for Pastry/Bakery personnel.
• Ensures that recipe reviews are conducted, corrected if needed and communicated to the Executive Chef and corporate office
• Daily application of the Checklist to monitor production and preparation levels.
• Proper use of the menu check list; files must be kept in the Chef’s office for corporate reviews.
• Monitor  working  hours,  maintain  working hours paperwork  and  if  applicable,  correct  entries  for  payroll purposes.
• Be present during loadings for quality control/assurance (Pastry, Bakery, Fruits and Berries).
• Must be knowledgeable of established quality standards and company policies.
• Must provide the necessary guidance/training and information to all Pastry/Bakery Staff in order to be fully productive and follow up on their progress. Responsible for maintaining quality and consistency in taste, presentation and appearance according to recipes and pictures; any possible discrepancies are to be rectified immediately.
• Communicate on a daily basis with the provision team to utilize highly perishable food items.
• Must check the fresh produce chillers on a daily basis to avoid shortages during the cruise.
• Ensure  economical  work  practices  and  controls  the  food  production  to  minimize/avoid wastage.
• Prepare the daily electronic requisitions according to guest count/forecast figures.
• Must have a complete knowledge and full understanding of USPH Rules and Regulations, ensuring that working/cleaning practices are applied throughout the operation.
• Ensure  immaculate  cleanliness  in  the  Pastry/Bakery  Department  and  adjacent  areas,  by applying safe working practices and procedures according to USPH Regulations and prevent any equipment damage/loss.
• Responsible for controlling and maintaining all Pastry equipment distributed to his/her staff, ensuring that it is cleaned/sanitized and returned in an acceptable and proper condition after each use.
• Fully responsible for all Pastry Equipment in terms of cleaning, handling and storage.   Any damages and/or malfunctions must be justified, recorded and reported.
• Ensure  that  all  Pastry/Bakery  Staff  appear  in  proper,  appropriate  uniform,  with  special attention to those working in public areas.  Personal appearance and hygiene must be followed according to Company policies at all times.
• Ensure that the pastry/adjacent areas are ready for any announced and/or unannounced USPH inspections, done either by the Ship’s Management or local authorities (Public Health Inspectors).  The Pastry Chef must be present for any inspections.
• Ensure that Bakery/Pastry personnel transport their provisions (fruits washed, cleaned and sanitized) with the correct utensils from the storeroom to their respective outlets.
• Countercheck daily deliveries from the Storeroom for its accuracy and take the necessary action in case it is not delivered as requested.
• Assist in conducting the Dinner Service Line, which includes but is not limited to, ensuring a smooth and efficient service, presentation and final plating.  The Dinner service must be conducted in a calm professional manner.
• The Pastry Chef must tour all outlets during service hours (Lunch/Dinner).
• Duties might be extended to the supervision of other activities, ie afternoon tea, pool parties, cocktail parties, special functions, etc as far as the Pastry Department is concerned.
• Provide requisitions for all Catering equipment (with justification, breakage report, damages, etc.) to ensure a productive operation.
• Must be familiar with the galley layout in terms of safety and security, must have a full understanding of ship rules/regulations (SMS) and participate in all required Safety Drills/Training.
• Ensure that the HACCP program is applied accordingly.
• Must have a thorough understanding of how working hours policies and procedures operate; be familiar with the contracts and work schedules hours/week and supporting documentation.
• Compile reports reflecting the cruise and its activities, to be submitted to the Corporate Office.

Your Profile

• Personality and Appearance: Must have a pleasant and courteous personality. Must be well groomed, and presentable.
• Health: Must be physically fit and in good health, able to lift up to 50 lbs (30 Kilos) on a daily basis and be able to work a minimum of eleven hours per day, seven days a week.
• Professional Experience and Education: Standard High School Education.   Requires a minimum of 8 years in the profession (Quality Hotels or Restaurants) with advanced pastry skills covering sugar work, chocolate work and any other specialized skills needed.  Must have strong knowledge in the Bakery field
• Communication and Language Skills: Must be able to read and speak English clearly in order to interpret and orate documents such as recipes and manuals to his team.   Other languages are considered a plus.
• Work Ethic:  Take pride in your work.  Adherence to Company Rules and Regulations is a must for success in the job.

Guidelines and Regulations

Job Description • Contract • Company Rules and Regulations • S.T.A.R. Service Experience Standards • Department Service Standards • Viking College • Uniform Regulation • F&B SOP’s