Pastry chefs are specialized chefs who create so much more than cakes, cookies, and desserts. They are artisans, creating delectable works of art for their clients to admire and enjoy. If you enjoy the culinary arts, specifically baking, read on to learn more about what pastry chefs do, how to become one, and more!
Find a baking and pastry program in your city. And check out the culinary programs, where you can also learn to become a pastry chef.
WHAT DO PASTRY CHEFS DO?
Pastry chefs work in many different places, including bake shops, bakeries, hotels, resorts, and restaurants for patrons to enjoy. They might work solo, or as part of a team of confectionary creatives. They may also be employees, or run their own business. Their position is as versatile as their imagination allows.
Culinary arts has a cool history, check it out here.
WHAT THEY DO
There is a lot more to the job of pastry chef than simply making desserts and baked goods. Very often, most duties such as inventory and menu planning are the responsibility of the pastry chef.
Their job details also include:
- Working with wholesalers for necessary supplies and ingredients
- The creating and perfecting new recipes
- Making sure to stay on budget
- Keeping the kitchen clean, sanitized, and organized
- Working with the other chefs in a restaurant to coordinate menus
- Baking all the necessary products for the day
If this sounds like a sweet job to you, then read on to find out more!
PASTRY CHEF? BAKER? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
You may use the two terms interchangeably, but the roles aren’t exactly the same. The main difference between a baker and a pastry chef is that bakers specialize in breads, rolls, cookies, and other less complex baked goods. A pastry chef focuses more on dessert-related products that require a higher degree of skills, covering other desserts such as custards, sauces, and chocolates. However, bakers can choose to become pastry chefs, and pastry chefs are already considered bakers. Because pastry chefs have more advanced skills than bakers, they also typically earn more. But in the end, either position could be enjoyable to you. It just depends on where you want to go with your career.
THE ROAD TO BECOMING A PASTRY CHEF
There are different ways you can become a pastry chef. While there really are no formal educational requirements, employers do look for individuals with degrees and certificates.
Formal training can be in the form of a certificate, diploma, or degree. Culinary and pastry chef programs are available through culinary schools, community colleges, trade schools, and universities. The hardest part is deciding which way to go.
Curious about the difference between a culinary arts certificate or associate degree?
Another option, although not highly recommended, is through online courses. Most of the pastry and baking instruction online is geared toward a casual baker, someone wanting to learn but not as his or her profession, necessarily. If you do decide to go the online route, you will still be expected to take the lab portion in a classroom.
The benefit of formal training is that you’ll learn techniques you may not pick up through being self taught. Post-secondary education will teach you about food sciences and baking chemistry, both important factors when cooking or baking. Math is also an important course to take, because you will need to be able to read and modify recipes and amounts of ingredients. Not to mention, you need precision when it comes to temperatures and food chemical reactions.
Your associate degree courses will look like:
- Fundamentals of Baking
- Nutrition
- Art of Chocolate
- Cake Decorating
- Specialty Desserts
- Plated Desserts
Bachelor degree programs, which cover more material, have courses like:
- Gastronomy
- Advanced Pastry Design
- Restaurant Law
- Marketing Concepts
- Regional Pastries
- Food Purchasing
During your formal education, you’ll also have an internship where you’ll be completely hands-on. After graduation, you may want look into an apprenticeship, where you can learn directly under a professional pastry chef.
ABOUT THAT APPRENTICESHIP
Apprenticeships can also be done in lieu of formal training. For some, this is a much more practical and attractive alternative. However, during your apprenticeship, you will likely still have course work to complete. Apprentices have to take 12 formal courses including food safety, nutrition, and management, among others.
Apprenticeships are available through culinary organizations such as:
Your schooling will take anywhere between 2-4 years, including your internship. Apprenticeships are 2-3 years.
ARE THERE CERTIFICATIONS?
Yes, there are certifications available. They are voluntary and, depending on who you ask, highly recommended. Getting certified adds another layer to improving your skill set and your resume.
In addition to apprenticeships, organizations such as the Retail Bakers of America and the American Culinary Federation also offer various levels of certifications. You can be a certified Journey Baker, Certified Baker, Decorator, and Master Baker. Specific to pastry artists are certifications such as the Certified Pastry Culinarian, Certified Working Pastry Chef, Certified Executive Pastry Chef, and Certified Master Pastry Chef.
SALARY: THE ICING ON THE CAKE
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for for chefs and head cooks, which includes pastry chefs, was $60,210 in 2022, The top 10 percent earned $91,520. Realistically, your pay will be based on experience and where you work.
Top Paying Industries for Pastry Chefs in 2022
|
Industry |
Salary |
|
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities |
$125,770 |
|
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing |
$91,900 |
|
Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing |
$86,340 |
|
Management of Companies and Enterprises |
$84,280 |
|
Other Support Services |
$84,070 |
Highest Paying States for Pastry Chefs in 2022
State | Salary |
Hawaii | $83,600 |
$81,070 | |
New York | $75,940 |
Massachusetts | $72,780 |
District of Columbia | $70,950 |
JOB OUTLOOK
Employment growth for this profession is projected to be around 15 percent through 2031. Compared to the national average career growth outlook of 5 percent per year, this is much faster than average.
Fastest Growing Industries for Pastry Chefs in 2022
Industry | Salary |
Special Food Services | $65,530 |
Traveler Accommodation | $69,440 |
Restaurants and Other Eating Places | $56,130 |
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $73,370 |
Rooming and Boarding Houses | $58,990 |
States With Highest Employment Levels
|
State |
Salary |
|
$69,000 |
|
|
Texas |
$48,400 |
|
Florida |
$58,860 |
|
New York |
$75,940 |
|
Illinois |
$62,850 |
So, if your goal is to someday own your own bakery, or work in the kitchen of a five-star restaurant in Europe, then you can with the proper training and your talents perfected. Get started today by finding pastry chef training near you!
References
https://www.ecpi.edu/blog/whats-difference-between-baker-and-pastry-chef
http://www.becomeapastrychef.com/pros-and-cons-of-becoming-a-pastry-chef