Pastry Chef Careers Information
Pastry chefs, a subset of bakers, are chefs in the culinary arts who specialize in preparing cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, and other such sweetened breads. They must have a keen eye for measuring and mixing as well as a strong knowledge of the effects of various baking temperatures on food.
Pastry Chef Careers & Degrees
- Art Institutes: The Art Institute of Atlanta
Virginia College: Culinard - Mobile
Lincoln Culinary Institute: Hartford
Pastry chefs often follow time-tested recipes to make people’s favorite desserts and breakfast pastries. But in order to keep things fresh and people coming back for more, they must constantly try new flavor combinations and ingredients. These experiments may result in new spins on old standbys or entirely new culinary delights.
Pastry chefs typically work in one of four types of establishment. Some work in large industrial bakeries. These pastry chefs oversee the production of mass produced food products of various price levels, though they are typically at the lower end of the price scale. These items may be as common as the average snack cake or slightly more specialized and only available in particular stores. Such pastry chefs may only oversee one part of the preparation process and do not stray from the recipe because their employers value consistency and good flavor at an inexpensive price.
Some pastry chefs work in supermarket bakeries or other large retail food stores. Their work is largely similar to those who work in food processing plants following set recipes but they may make a larger variety of items and be given a little more leeway in specializing the product.
Self employed pastry chefs are completely free to make pastries and desserts as they wish. These are the ones often called upon to bake cakes for special occasions, such as birthday parties and weddings.
Finally, pastry chefs may work in a restaurant, especially in finer restaurants that have many specialty chefs. Though they may have certain recipes to follow, these chefs have the most freedom to experiment and create new sweets for their customers to enjoy.
Pastry Chef Careers Path
Pastry chef careers, like most other types of chef or cook, do not require any formal education. However, a degree from a 2 to 4 year university, vocational, or culinary school is helpful when trying to secure a job.
Coursework will likely include general cooking courses such as food preparation, nutrition, and sanitation as well as more specialized courses in pastry making. Certification from the American Culinary Federation may also be useful for pastry chefs. There are a few levels that may be earned, with Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) being at the top.
Many pastry chefs begin by interning or apprenticing under an established pastry chef and move up as they gain experience and knowledge.
Pastry Chef Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Able to follow directions precisely, enjoys working with food, creative, conscientious of personal hygiene, project oriented, good with basic math, good with hands, works well with others.
Pastry Chef Interview
Find out what to expect in a pastry chef career! Read More from a Professional Pastry Chef…
Pastry Chef Careers: Salary Expectations
As a type of baker, pastry chefs earn an average salary of $23,290 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $18,760 and $29,720. For those who work in larger industrial bakeries, the average salary is $23,310 a year. With more experience pastry chefs may be able to work in finer restaurants or open their own store in order to make more money.
Pastry Chef Careers: Job Outlook
For pastry chefs who work in food processing centers or in large retail establishments, the job outlook is mixed. While increasing populations will demand more of the baked goods that pastry chefs can provide, standardization of recipes and more efficient baking methods mean that fewer bakers are needed.
There will be need for pastry chefs, however, to replace those who retire or leave the industry. For pastry chefs who work as specialists in finer establishments, competition for positions will be strong because, as it is with most fine chef jobs, there usually more qualified applicants than open positions.
Pastry chefs with strong training, certification from the American Culinary Federation, and strong experience should have the best chance of finding steady work.
Pastry Chef Associations and Resources
The American Culinary Federation
The International Association of Culinary ProfessionalsSlightly off the Footpath
Culinary News
Whether you want to start a culinary career or you’re an experienced chef looking to learn more, you need to know the latest industry news. Our culinary news page is updated daily with headlines from sources across the web. Read more about Culinary Arts News >>
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos219.htm
