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
Menu development
Kitchen management
Food quality
Cost control
Food safety and sanitation
Hospitality service expertise
Culinary expertise
Plating techniques
Banquets and catering
Pastry skills
Allergen awareness
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 -