Qima Café is part of Origins 1450, a group redefining coffee and hospitality through craft, quality, and vertical integration across the entire coffee value chain. With our new Central Production Kitchen (CPU) & Bakery in East London, we are scaling our pastry and bakery offering to support Qima Café and, in the future, develop a selective wholesale client base.
We are seeking a Senior Baker / Viennoiserie Chef with exceptional technical mastery in laminated doughs and bakery production to play a central role in our pastry and bakery operations. This is a hands-on position, ideal for someone who thrives in production environments, balancing artisanal craft with consistency, efficiency, and commercial awareness.
Key Responsibilities
Craft & Production
* Execute the production of viennoiserie and bakery items to the highest technical and artisanal standards.
* Lead on lamination processes (croissants, pain au chocolat, brioches, etc.) with precision and consistency.
* Ensure all products meet consistently high standards of taste, texture, and presentation.
* Support the introduction of new products developed by the Head Pastry Chef, ensuring smooth integration into production.
Operational Support
* Deliver daily production requirements for Qima Café, ensuring reliability, speed, and consistency.
* Support rota planning, workflow efficiency, and productivity improvements within the CPU.
* Assist with stock control, ingredient usage, and waste reduction.
* Uphold best practices in hygiene, food safety, and compliance.
Teamwork & Development
* Mentor and support junior bakers, sharing technical skills and fostering a culture of quality and pride in work.
* Collaborate closely with the Head Pastry Chef to deliver on production goals while maintaining craft integrity.
* Contribute to a positive and professional kitchen culture based on respect, discipline, and teamwork.
Requirements
* Extensive hands-on experience in viennoiserie and laminated doughs at a professional level.
* Strong knowledge of bakery fundamentals, doughs, and fermentation.
* 3–5+ years' experience in a production bakery, pastry kitchen, or CPU environment.
* Proven ability to balance craft standards with production consistency and efficiency.
* Organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a high-volume, quality-driven setting.
* Strong team player, with a collaborative and mentoring approach.
* Familiarity with UK health & safety and food hygiene standards.
What We Offer
* Base salary: £35,000 – £40,000 (depending on experience).
* The opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art Central Production Kitchen in East London.
* A role at the heart of a fast-growing hospitality group, with opportunities for future growth in responsibility and compensation.
* A supportive environment that values both craft and commercial success.
* Career development pathways as Qima Café expands and our wholesale business develops.
As a fast-growing company, we offer the right candidate the opportunity to grow significantly in both scope and responsibility, with future progression reflected in compensation and role development.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company events
* Employee discount
* Employee mentoring programme
* Profit sharing
* Referral programme
* Store discount
* UK visa sponsorship
Application question(s):
* How many years of professional experience do you have working specifically with viennoiserie (laminated doughs such as croissants, pains au chocolat, brioches, etc.)?
* Have you managed or worked within a central production unit/kitchen supplying multiple sites?
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person