While some employers do not require individuals to have a formal education to work as pastry chefs, many require pastry chefs to have relevant training, certification and a college education. For many people, the journey to becoming a successful pastry chef starts with a degree or diploma. Education is an important piece of the equation when you choose to pursue any culinary career, and the pastry arts are no exception. A pastry chef must be hard-working, dedicated to the craft and willing to do the labor to learn the profession.
Getting a two-year college degree in culinary arts or a closely related field from an accredited college allows you to learn new pastry baking techniques, teaches you the theory behind baking, and it gives you practice in baking pies, cakes and other dessert dishes. The skills needed to succeed in the pastry arts can be taught thoroughly in an academic setting, where students can also learn the role of different ingredients and the importance of precision. A supportive environment to practice these skills is critical. Baking is more than just following a recipe; it is a science. School teaches ingredient function and the science and chemistry of baking so that students understand what is happening. The pastry arts require precision and attention to detail that the culinary arts may not.
The baking industry typically requires new chefs to work for a few years as apprentices, or assistants, under experienced pastry chefs. Completing an apprenticeship allows you to put your classroom education into practice and gain more baking experience before striking out on your own. Mentorship is critical when you set out to become a pastry chef. You need to be able to watch masters at work, practice skills and receive feedback, and ask all the questions you may have. Good mentors can help you set goals, guide your next steps, and even create networking opportunities.
Your learning shouldn’t stop when you graduate from your chosen program or complete your externship. The best pastry culinarians continually strive to improve and learn more about the pastry arts to keep their skills sharp and stay competitive. And many decide to certify their skills.
To take qualifications even further and stand out from other candidates, pastry chefs can earn certifications through well-respected organizations such as the American Culinary Foundation or The World Association of Chefs’ Societies. Having your skills certified shows that you’ve gone above and beyond for your career and invested time into your growth. Certification makes your skills undeniable.
There are many paths to becoming a pastry chef, but research, education and hands-on experience are essential ingredients for launching a career. Formal training and a degree are not necessary to become a pastry chef; however, whether through an internship, apprenticing, finding a mentor or culinary school, some form of hands-on experience is an essential part of the learning process. And for a high-level position like pastry chef, employers prefer candidates with some level of professional education.