Job Description

Information for the role of Pastry Chef

Salary effective 1 August 2025 38,283 per annum full-time, 37.5 hours per week


(working on a 2-week shift rota, including weekends and evenings)


An excellent opportunity to join a prestigious organisation in a varied and fulfilling role in a friendly team. Your day-to-day duties will include assisting the Executive Head Chef and Head of Catering in achieving the highest possible standards of food preparation and presentation in the Downing College kitchens by:

Preparing high quality and appropriate quantities of pastries and dessert goods from the College kitchen for consumption by Fellows, staff, students and commercial business customers. Achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of health and hygiene in the kitchens. Acting as the Shift Leader in the absence of the Deputy Head Chef or Sous Chef.

To be considered for this role, you will need to have:

An NVQ Level 2/3 in Catering or equivalent A Certificate in Food Hygiene Relevant pastry experience, gained in a busy commercial environment Excellent culinary and patisserie skills Experience in menu and recipe development, costing and implementation Excellent knowledge of allergen management and labelling and good understanding of current Food Safety and relevant Health & Safety legislation Experience supervising a large kitchen with multi-outlets and fine dining and the ability to manage multiple functions food delivery Clear communication skills.

You will enjoy working as part of a team; be able to cover other members of the team as required; have a flexible approach to work and tasks and a willingness to undertake any training.

About Downing College

Founded in 1800, Downing College in the University of Cambridge has a unique and magnificent setting among twenty acres of lawns and trees yet is located in the centre of Cambridge. The open landscape has a superb collection of neo-classical buildings from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Those living and working in Downing enjoy a beautiful environment unique in Cambridge in its spaciousness.


The College is composed of approximately 50 Fellows and 165 non-academic staff and its aim is to help all students to develop their academic ability and personal potential during their time here. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and informal community for Fellows, staff and students alike. Set within this expansive and beautiful landscape, Downing also has a thriving conference business and provides customers with a choice of superior conference, meeting and theatre facilities.

Details of the role

The role of Pastry Chef is a permanent post and applications are invited from candidates who wish to work on a full-time basis. Working hours are 37.5 hours per week, with a 30-minute break each day, allocated according to a two-week shift rota (including evenings & weekends). We envisage the Pastry Chef commencing as soon as possible. The salary for this role is 38,283 (Step 47 on the College Salary Scale) for a 37.5 hour/week. In addition to the salary, we offer a benefits package including:

35 days Holiday (including bank holidays and Christmas closure period) Discretionary Bonus scheme Free College Lunches on working days Pension scheme (with matched contribution up to 10%) Free access to an Employee Assistance programme 24/7 Healthcare Cash scheme (e.g. for prescriptions, dental, optical, physiotherapy) Free Life Assurance cover Optional subsidised private medical scheme Cycle purchase scheme, giving substantial savings on cycle purchase Free use of on-site Gym facilities Free on-site Car parking Social events An additional Day Off for your Birthday!
Further details of these discretionary benefits and eligibility criteria are available from the HR team. Please note that, those benefits which are non-contractual, may be amended or withdrawn at the College's discretion).

Application Process

To apply for this position click "Apply Now" on the advert posting on our website (Staff vacancies | Downing College Cambridge) and complete an application form. You are able to upload your CV in support of your application.

Closing date: midday on Monday 28 July 2025. Please note that the closing date for this post may be brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.


Applications are welcomed from a broad range of backgrounds. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.


Applicants who declare a disability will be offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for the job.

We are pleased to be able offer this document in an accessible format,

please contact HR (recruitment@dow.cam.ac.uk) if you wish to receive this advert and role profile or an application form in a different, accessible format, e.g. large print.

For further information or in event of queries, please contact:

The HR Office

Email:hr@dow.cam.ac.uk


Tel: 01223 334820


Downing College, Cambridge, CB2 1DQ