Callista Van Wyk
Pastry Chef
Cape Town
Summary
High-performing Chef offering 13years of restaurant experience. Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. Talent for building streamlined, cohesive teams.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
Language
Work History
Relief Chef
Little Leaners Childcare
04.2025 - 08.2025
- Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
- Continually improved kitchen safety by enforcing strict hygiene protocols and staff training on equipment usage.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
Pastry Chef
Greenhaus Restaurant
12.2022 - 03.2024
- Mentored junior pastry cooks, sharing knowledge and expertise to foster skill development and professional growth.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating competitive pricing on ingredients without compromising quality.
- Demonstrated attention to detail in crafting intricate pastry designs, resulting in excellent presentation and visual appeal for customers.
- Stayed current on industry trends and emerging techniques, attending workshops and conferences to continuously improve skills as a pastry cook.
- Contributed ideas during brainstorming sessions for promotional events or special offers that would attract new clientele or re-engage existing customers.
- Personalized creations for holidays, weddings, graduations, and personal events.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Developed new pastry recipes for seasonal menus, resulting in increased sales and positive feedback.
Pastry Chef
The Melkbos kitchen
01.2019 - 10.2021
- Developed and tested new recipes and techniques for pastries, cakes, and desserts
- Created visually appealing and delicious pastries for banquets and special occasions.
- Utilized pastry blenders, wire whisks and sifters to combine measured ingredients into bowls.
- Researched new dessert concepts and performed recipe analysis to increase overall sales.
- Created new dessert items for seasonal and special events.
- Maintained an open line of communication with customers, addressing concerns or requests promptly while providing exceptional customer service.
- Developed new pastry recipes for seasonal menus, resulting in increased sales and positive feedback.
PASTRY COOK
Pullman Hotels
03.2015 - 11.2018
- Collaborated with chefs to create new desserts and menu
- Researched new dessert concepts and performed recipe analysis to increase overall sales.
- Reduced leftovers 5% by monitoring production and properly storing items.
- Maintained cleanliness and proper food safety standards, ensuring a safe working environment for all staff members.
- Received consistent praise from both management and clientele for exceptional quality of workmanship.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by creating visually appealing and delicious pastries for a high-end bakery.
- Coordinated closely with catering department on large-scale orders or events requiring customized baked goods or desserts for clients'' specific needs.
- Conducted regular tastings with management to ensure consistency in flavor profiles across all products offered at the bakery.
- Decorated pastries with different icings and toppings, using spatulas, scrapers and piping bags.
- Prepared wide variety of goods such as cakes, cookies and tarts by following traditional and modern recipes.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by creating visually appealing and delicious pastries.
Commis Chef
Cresta Oasis Hotel
09.2011 - 12.2014
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Developed strong multitasking abilities by managing multiple cooking stations during peak hours, ensuring consistent quality output.
- Assisted other chefs with ingredients preparation in support of recipes designed by head chef.
- Rotated through all prep stations to learn different techniques.
- Observed different kitchen chefs' preparation of sauces, breads, and other items to gain knowledge in diverse cooking and baking techniques.
Education
Assistant Chef And Bakery Courses - Baking And Pastry Arts
BluBeri Hospitality
Cape Town South Africa 04.2001 -
High School Diploma -
Trust Academy High School
Harare Zimbabwe 04.2001 -
Skills
Meal preparation
Certification
ASSISTANT CHEF COURSE, COOKERY&BAKING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS(CITY AND GUILDS ENDORSEMENT), BluBeri Hospitality and Training, Cape Town, 01/01/23, 02/01/24
Personal Information
Nationality: Zimbabwean
Timeline
Relief Chef
Little Leaners Childcare
04.2025 - 08.2025
Pastry Chef
Greenhaus Restaurant
12.2022 - 03.2024
Pastry Chef
The Melkbos kitchen
01.2019 - 10.2021
PASTRY COOK
Pullman Hotels
03.2015 - 11.2018
Commis Chef
Cresta Oasis Hotel
09.2011 - 12.2014
Assistant Chef And Bakery Courses - Baking And Pastry Arts
BluBeri Hospitality
04.2001 -
High School Diploma -
Trust Academy High School
04.2001 -
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