Head Chef – Pastry

About APCA Chandigarh

APCA (Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts) began in Malaysia in 2010 and now has academies in five countries, with alumni who won the World Pastry Cup in 2019. APCA Chandigarh, our new campus in SAS Nagar (Mohali), is opening soon, and we are building its founding team.

Reports to

Centre Head / Founder

The role

Lead the culinary and pastry programme. You will own curriculum quality, kitchen operations, instructor training and student outcomes, and lead the kitchen team of pastry, bakery and culinary chefs. We are looking for a pastry specialist with real leadership ability.

What you’ll do

• Set up five teaching kitchens to professional standards
• Recruit, train and mentor the pastry, bakery and culinary chefs
• Conduct soft trials, preview tastings and masterclasses
• Establish vendor relationships for pastry ingredients (chocolate, flour, dairy and imported items)
• Ensure FSSAI compliance, hygiene protocols and safety standards
• Represent the academy in media, PR and industry events

What we’re looking for

• Diploma or Degree in Pastry Arts or Culinary Arts from a recognised institute
• 8–12 years of total culinary experience
• At least 5 years in pastry and bakery (viennoiserie, entremets, chocolaterie, plated desserts)
• At least 2 years in a leadership role (Head Chef, Pastry Chef or Sous Chef)
• Experience in 5-star hotels, luxury patisseries or premium standalone restaurants

Nice to have

• APCA alumni preferred
• FSSAI Food Safety Supervisor certification
• Advanced pastry certification (APCA, Le Cordon Bleu, Ferrandi, CIA or equivalent)
• HACCP / ISO 22000 training
• Teaching or training experience (culinary school, masterclasses, apprenticeships)
• Experience in the Chandigarh / North India market

Skills

• Advanced pastry: laminated doughs, sugar work, chocolate tempering, entremets, frozen desserts, bread baking
• Menu development, recipe standardisation, costing and portion control
• Equipment: planetary mixers, deck ovens, blast chillers, chocolate tempering machines
• Team management, scheduling, training and performance reviews
• Inventory control, vendor negotiation, waste management and hygiene audits
• Patience, creativity, a mentoring mindset and calm under pressure

Languages

Excellent English and Hindi (Punjabi a plus); able to teach clearly to varied skill levels

How to apply

Use the form below, or email your CV and portfolio (photos or links to your work) to apca.chandigarh@apcaindia.com with the subject “Application — Head Chef – Pastry”.