Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club has been consistently ranked among the world鈥檚 finest, earning a spot on the 2024 Travel + Leisure 500 list and being recognized as one of the top destinations in Africa. It has also been featured by Cond茅 Nast Traveler as one of Africa鈥檚 top destinations. In addition, the hotel has been honored as Africa鈥檚 Leading Hotel by the World Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year, most recently in 2025.
The Pastry Sous Chef supports the Head Pastry Chef in managing the pastry kitchen operations, ensuring high-quality production of pastries, desserts, and baked goods while maintaining consistency, hygiene, and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise the preparation of all pastry items including breads, viennoiserie, desserts, petits fours, cakes, and specialty items, ensuring production aligns with forecasted covers, events, and occupancy levels.
- Inspect all finished products for taste, texture, appearance, and portion size before service to ensure consistency with established standards and brand expectations.
- Assist in designing dessert menus, buffet displays, afternoon tea offerings, and special event menus. Test new recipes and contribute creative ideas while maintaining cost efficiency.
- Allocate daily tasks, manage staff schedules, and oversee shift operations to ensure smooth workflow. Provide hands-on support during peak service periods.
- Conduct on-the-job training for junior chefs, commis, and interns on techniques, plating, portioning, and hygiene standards. Ensure continuous development of team skills.
- Enforce strict adherence to HACCP and food safety standards, including proper labeling, storage, temperature control, and cleanliness of workstations and equipment.
- Monitor inventory levels of ingredients and pastry supplies. Assist in stock ordering, receiving, and proper storage while minimizing spoilage and wastage.
- Support in maintaining food cost targets by controlling portion sizes, optimizing ingredient usage, and tracking wastage. Suggest improvements to enhance efficiency.
- Ensure all pastry kitchen equipment (ovens, mixers, refrigerators, etc.) is used correctly, cleaned regularly, and reported for maintenance when necessary.
- Work closely with other kitchen sections, banqueting, and service teams to ensure timely delivery of pastry items for 脿 la carte, buffets, and events.
- Plan and execute pastry production for weddings, conferences, and special functions, including custom cakes, dessert buffets, and themed displays.
- Maintain updated recipe files, production schedules, and SOPs. Ensure consistency across all shifts through proper documentation.