3 answers
Taryn
Student
Palatine, Illinois
12
Questions
Asked
1928 views
How do you become a pastry chef?
Along with my interest in baking I am curious about being a pastry chef and wondered how does someone become a pastry chef #chef #pastry-chef #culinary-arts
Login to comment
3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Taryn someone who loves to bake, especially crafting and embellishing fine desserts, would be a great fit for a job as a pastry chef. Though not essential for employment, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) certifies pastry chefs at four different levels. These include: Certified Pastry Culinarian (CPC), Certified Working Pastry Chef (CWPC), Certified Executive Pastry Chef (CEPC) and Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC). To become a certified pastry chef, a professional must complete an education program, including specific courses in food safety and sanitation, nutrition and culinary supervisory management, as well as provide documentation of work experience that varies by level.
A bachelor's degree in baking and pastry arts is the most common program for aspiring pastry chefs. A four-year program that combines classroom learning with practical experience, students learn how to create confections, breads, cakes and other pastries. A bachelor's degree program offers a well-rounded education that requires four years of full-time study. In addition to hands-on pastry training, coursework includes math, English, biology, physiology, and history as well as nutrition, computer basics, and food chemistry. A culinary school education is highly desired by most employers of pastry chefs. A pastry education program combines theory with practical applications. Most programs require students to work in a student-run public bakery or restaurant to hone their skills and gain industry experience. Graduates of pastry education programs produce baked goods, decorate and plate pastries and desserts, keep the kitchen organized, and order supplies. In addition to a pastry education, creativity, attention to detail, math, reading comprehension, and good communication skills are beneficial. Entry-level positions for those with a pastry education include baking and pastry assistant, baker, pastry cook, and assistant pastry chef. Pastry program graduates can also find careers as personal chefs or in food writing or styling.
Hope this was helpful Taryn
Seek out internship opportunities. Some programs offer internships or cooperative education programs in which students can apply knowledge that they learn in the classroom in real-life settings. These programs can be great additions for students' resumes, as well as good opportunities to gain confidence in the kitchen.
Another option for an aspiring chef is an apprenticeship program. The American Culinary Federation (ACF) offers apprenticeship programs that typically last two to three years and allow potential chefs to work full-time with experienced chefs.
A bachelor's degree in baking and pastry arts is the most common program for aspiring pastry chefs. A four-year program that combines classroom learning with practical experience, students learn how to create confections, breads, cakes and other pastries. A bachelor's degree program offers a well-rounded education that requires four years of full-time study. In addition to hands-on pastry training, coursework includes math, English, biology, physiology, and history as well as nutrition, computer basics, and food chemistry. A culinary school education is highly desired by most employers of pastry chefs. A pastry education program combines theory with practical applications. Most programs require students to work in a student-run public bakery or restaurant to hone their skills and gain industry experience. Graduates of pastry education programs produce baked goods, decorate and plate pastries and desserts, keep the kitchen organized, and order supplies. In addition to a pastry education, creativity, attention to detail, math, reading comprehension, and good communication skills are beneficial. Entry-level positions for those with a pastry education include baking and pastry assistant, baker, pastry cook, and assistant pastry chef. Pastry program graduates can also find careers as personal chefs or in food writing or styling.
Hope this was helpful Taryn
Doc recommends the following next steps:
good answerjohn
Robert Mingus
Thank You Chef Robert. “Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Doc Frick
Julie Grasser
Research and Development Chef
1
Answer
Addison, Illinois
Updated
Julie’s Answer
Hi there!
To become a pastry chef, you have to attend pastry school which is a 2 year program. You would obtain an associates degree. After completion, you can begin to work in different facets of the hospitality industry. You'll gain experience over time and then can decide on what you want to pursue. If you want to start your own business or work for a restaurant, hotel, or another facility that needs a pastry chef to create and produce desserts!
To become a pastry chef, you have to attend pastry school which is a 2 year program. You would obtain an associates degree. After completion, you can begin to work in different facets of the hospitality industry. You'll gain experience over time and then can decide on what you want to pursue. If you want to start your own business or work for a restaurant, hotel, or another facility that needs a pastry chef to create and produce desserts!
Robert Mingus
Culinary Director
67
Answers
Poplar Grove, Illinois
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Taryn,
If you want to become a pastry chef, then follow John's interaction. networking is also good. Join Culinary Agent.com for future internships, look at food 52, their recipes are great. I will tell you that the idea of becoming a chef is great and not to get you away from your dream, but being a chef is brutal work. You will work 10-16 hour days depending on where you work, sometimes 6 to 7 days a week. I would talk to a pastry chef maybe on linkedin to find out what a day in the life of a pasrty chef can entail. Linkedin will be a great resource for networking for you.
Chef Rob M
If you want to become a pastry chef, then follow John's interaction. networking is also good. Join Culinary Agent.com for future internships, look at food 52, their recipes are great. I will tell you that the idea of becoming a chef is great and not to get you away from your dream, but being a chef is brutal work. You will work 10-16 hour days depending on where you work, sometimes 6 to 7 days a week. I would talk to a pastry chef maybe on linkedin to find out what a day in the life of a pasrty chef can entail. Linkedin will be a great resource for networking for you.
Chef Rob M