In a kitchen, a pastry chef is in charge of all baking and desserts. It’s a demanding job that usually entails long hours in a high-stress environment. The pastry chef is usually one of the first people to arrive at a restaurant in the morning, kneading the dough for the day’s bread and other pastries. Despite the long hours and challenges, if a person is dedicated to making a career out of it, it can be a very rewarding and lucrative job.
Anyone interested in becoming a pastry chef should begin reading and learning everything they can about baking and working in a professional bakery or restaurant. There are numerous excellent recipe books, as well as pastry and bread guides, available. Before applying to colleges or restaurants, learn everything you can. Learn how to make a perfect loaf of bread, a perfect pie crust, and puff pastry dough. It’s also a good idea to brush up on your cake decorating skills. Some craft and cooking stores offer decorating classes, and a community college or adult education program may also offer them.
To train as a pastry chef, there are two options. The first is the traditional apprenticeship route. After you’ve learned everything there is to know about baking and pastry, go to local bakeries and high-end restaurants to see if they’re hiring an assistant pastry chef. Another option is to volunteer to work for very little or no pay in exchange for the opportunity to train with the resident pastry chef. This can provide you with the necessary skills and experience to become a pastry chef in a short period of time.
Another option is to enroll in a culinary arts program. There are culinary schools all over the world, with many of the best in Europe, but the United States also has a number of excellent pastry programs. One of the best is the Culinary Arts Institute, which has campuses in both New York and California. Many community colleges and private universities offer programs that can assist you in pursuing a career as a pastry chef. Although a culinary degree will take longer than an apprenticeship, you will receive a more comprehensive education and the skills you will need to take on any pastry challenge later in your career.
The next step in becoming a pastry chef is to work in a bakery or restaurant after completing an apprenticeship or earning a culinary arts degree. Even if you aren’t paid well, this will get you started in your career. Make yourself available for extra hours and put forth as much effort and enthusiasm as you can. This will show the head pastry chef that you are serious about making a career out of baking, and you may be given more responsibilities in the kitchen as a result.
It’s time to take the next step toward your goal of becoming a pastry chef once you’ve learned everything you can as an assistant. Participate in the local restaurant scene and inform other restaurant owners that you are looking for a pastry chef position. Prepare and send a resume, as well as any letters of recommendation from previous professors or head pastry chefs with whom you have worked. Demonstrate how you would make a valuable addition to their team.
In a kitchen, a pastry chef is one of the true artists. It takes time to gain the experience and reputation necessary to become a head pastry chef. Work as hard as you can to improve your skills during this time. In the culinary world, a good pastry chef is a valuable commodity. Prove that you’re a good catch, and you might get job offers from some of your area’s best restaurants.