How to Become a Great Pastry Chef (Even If You Can't Bake)
If you are considering entering the food service industry as a baker or pastry chef, this article is good to read and learn from. In addition, be sure to read Master Baker Leslie Bilderbacks interview and some of her comments on my blog, including Cooking School Is Not For Everyone.
Are you a creative type who likes to know the hows and whys of everything you do? Do you enjoy making desserts that taste wonderful and are beautiful, too? If so, you might enjoy being a pastry artist.
A pastry chef’s job is interesting, challenging, creative, and complex. Of course, you create wonderful breads, pastries, and desserts. But they must also be beautiful—artistic presentation is more important for desserts than any other part of the meal—people want a feast for their eyes and palates.
Qualities of a Good Pastry Chef
A good pastry Chef has certain personal characteristics, knowledge, and specialized skills.
Personal characteristics - Pastry chefs need to be organized and detail-oriented. Making desserts often requires several components to be assembled individually and brought together to create the final product. Every ingredient must be measured precisely, added correctly, and in the correct order. Good pastry chefs are very organized.
Pastry chefs are hard workers. Baking can start as early as 3 or 4 a.m. They work long hours, and they spend many of those hours on their feet. It takes stamina and strength to do the work of a pastry chef.
Creativity is an important quality, more so than any other cooking type. For example, Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier was the White House pastry chef for 25 years, creating wonderful and beautiful desserts for every White House gala and state dinner. In all that time, he never served the same dessert twice. Now, that’s creativity.
Patience is a virtue for a pastry chef. Desserts can require extensive preparation—and the people who order the desserts can require extra patience, too. It’s also good to have a sense of humor; laughter is a gift that makes patience much easier.
Knowledge—To be a good pastry chef, you need an understanding of the scientific principles behind your craft. You’ll be using perishable and fragile foods, and you need to understand food safety biology. There’s a chemical basis for the way certain foods are combined.
You need a good understanding of nutrition and human physiology. You also need to know the basics of design—how to create visually appealing desserts.
Skills - You’ll acquire many skills as you learn to be a pastry chef. How to measure correctly, and how to mix and blend. Specific food preparation techniques. How to make food visually appealing. Plus people skills, management skills and business skills—all necessary skills for the pastry chef.
Education - Finding the Right Baking / Pastry School
You can choose from several different educational opportunities if you want to become a pastry chef. You could get a diploma or certificate in less than a year. This gives you the skills and knowledge for an entry-level position. An associate degree gives you more skills and more basic education.
You’ll probably qualify initially for the same positions as a diploma graduate, but as you gain experience, you’ll have more advancement opportunities than the diploma graduate. If your goal is management, Executive Pastry Chef or teaching, you should consider eventually getting a bachelor’s or advanced degree.
Whatever level of education you choose, choosing the right program is important. The most important things to consider when comparing culinary programs are the faculty, the school’s accreditation, and the facilities.
Faculty: Culinary faculty should be chefs with the appropriate education and industry experience to teach and mentor people entering the profession.
Accreditation—you’re looking for American Culinary Federation, Cordon Bleu or other recognized culinary accreditation.
Facilities—you should learn to cook in a professional kitchen with industry-standard equipment.
Some secondary considerations are the kinds of practical experiences available, flexible or part-time scheduling if needed, finances, student support services, and career placement services.
Read my article on choosing the right culinary school for you. The same advice holds true with pastry schools.
Career Options - Pastry chefs are not limited to baking bread and making cakes. There are many career options open to you. You can work in a bakery, restaurant or patisserie. You can open your own business. You can become a food critic or writer. You can teach. You could even become an Executive Pastry Chef at the White House.
Pastry chefs are in demand, and they are paid well. The more education and experience you have, the more money you will make. Experienced pastry chefs make upwards of $60,000/year.
A pastry chef or Chef de Patisserie is a wonderful career choice for anyone who is artistic, logical, practical, and creative. It’s a career with rich opportunities—making rich, wonderful, and beautiful desserts.
Is A Culinary Career Right For Me?
- What Happened to All the For-Profit Culinary Schools
- The Journey of Celebrity Chefs: From Passion to Fame
- Cooking for Business or Pleasure
- Give the Gift of Cooking Classes
- What It Takes To Become An Executive Chef
- Which Hospitality Management Jobs Pay the Best
- Interview with Top Ten Pastry Chef in America Mary Cech
- 10 Things To Consider Before Getting Into The Culinary Industry
Caitlin Mantini
Very helpful thankyou
Ryu
This is very helpful in deed, especially for someone like me who doesn't really know what they want to do in life yet. For awhile I've been playing with the idea of being a pastry chief,with the basic could I and would I,but back then I only had a small clue on what I would spend my hours doing. But after reading this there's a certain understanding I've come to, to know at least what the minimum requirement I would possible need if I were to follow this idea and for that I thank you. 😀
Kai
My son is in middle school and is very creative and likes to cook. We read this article together so that he could understand what it takes to be a pastry chef which he still refers to as a "baker". It is never to early to begin to figure out what you want to do. Just helping him begin his dream. Thanks for the article!! 🙂
Katarina
My dream is to someday become a Pastry Chef and own my own business. I love baking and cooking, but right now I am writing a paper for English on this topic and I would love to know more about the education you have to have, what is the sarlary like, and what is it like owning your own business?
Thank you,
Katarina
sandra
hello my name is sandra,,,i live in annecy france,and i from ny,,,i am currenly looking in to becoming a pastry chef, and i have to pick a pastry shop as and apprintes before the school can accept me, its a two year course,i am currenly learning french also,,,i love the art of pastrys and disings of cakes,,any advice,,,thanks
Onika
Hi Im Onika. I will be entering pastry school soon any insights to how your experience was
Stephanie
how many years of school do you need to be a pastry chef. i am 16 and i have had this occupation in mind ever since i watched the food network channal. it is very interesting and i just want to know thanks
Alan Amey
i am wanting to know how to be one, how many years of school does it take. im in 8th grade, when do i or can i start?
caitlynn
hi my name is caitlynn im from australia sa as apart of my year 10 assignment for personal learning plan to pass year 10 we have to ask the following questions if any one could help that would be great- 1. What you do each day?
Hours?
Travel?
Opportunities for promotion?
Availability of jobs?
Other- social expectations, physical fitness, expectation to serve one’s country
Helen Posthuma
Nice and informative article on what it takes to be a pastry chef. People looking at entering the field should most definitely have a handle on their proportions and measurements. Patience is one quality a good pastry chef can never have too much of. Especially when it comes to creating new, innovative and visually stunning desserts a good pastry chef needs to be willing to spend hours testing various recipes and techniques to achieve the best result.
Grant Francis
This was a good read thank you. I went to a local school which had pickup courses, and I found that I learnt a lot. Recently I joined an online school which I review the lessons at night, and just do it on my own time. I have found that this works much better with my busy schedule... I hope to one day open my own pastry shop. Anyways the site is http://www.pastrytraining.com
Does anyone have any other recommendations for some recommended destination schools, like short term that I could take?
kamranayyub
That's really a good way to teach them who wants to become chef and I really like your way of doing this.
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sabir k ummer
i am junior pastry chef working @ bglr but i have no knowledge but this is very very help full i like it
.......
Lezlie De Leon
Im 16 and this has made me understand more ideas.
Marialisa Andrea Garcia
I'm now really sure to stick to this career!!!
Faith Madrid
What would be the entry level to become a pastry chef?
shanice
My name is shanice and i live in jamaica and it is my greatest dream to become a pastry chef but. I currently study pharmacology in university...so i would like to know how many years would i need to become a pastry chef and would i need to start from scratch education wise in order to become a pastry chef..
I love pastry.the way they taste
the smell.the art and creativity.the harmony that is created when ingredients are combined.the finishing touch
Virginia
Great article! I will for sure read everything you reccomend and try to put my ideas in the right place. I'm crazy about pastry, took a few lessons here and there and now, I just realized that I really want to do is "plated desserts" . Is it possible to take classes only for that and become a pastry chef? Or better to take courses for Pastry and have an understanding of the whole picture? I appreciate!!!
mayra solis
I AM 10 YEARS OLD AND I WANT TO BE A PASTRY CHEF IT INSPIRED ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WOULD COME OVER I WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A COOKBOOK OUT AND WE WOULD BAKE TOGETHER
Lazito Barretto
As i was going through ,how to become the Pastry chef , the Pastry chef must have a good qualities,characteristics,knowledge and education.it gives me more confidence to become a professional PASTRY CHEF.
Majesti De La Pena
Hello my name is Majesti De La Pena and i am 14 year old and Deaf, I want to be become a chef since i was 9 years old. I want to know how to become chef and I want to show deaf can do it! I want to someone to help me to become chef. Right now i take cook class in high school and I hope my goal are successful! Thank you!
ishasoni
Hello,
I am Isha Soni, I really love cooking, my aim to make a good chef, so you can suggest me what can I do for a good chef. I have planned to join the chef courses school and tell me the fees of chef courses.
Thanks
Daniel
It's a good article fair enough but does anyone have any actual experience in a professional kitchen, you will be burnt,cut yelled and cursed without a doubt,you will lose your social life every normal aspect of a daily routine except wake up and work go home sleep and do it all over again,you would need a basic understanding of how a kitchen works.How to prepare the kitchen for service, how to match the taste of each component in the dish ,making sure the seasonality is right, the cost of your desert isn't to high for the production and popularity of the dish(that's if you get one in a menu)how long the finished product lasts also making each dish the same standard as the last.There is a good chance when you start off in a lower level, you will be passed about a kitchen to each section when the staff levels are short,you'll need to know how everywhere works not just one part of the kitchen and thats just the start of being a chef.Its not an easy thing to do if you want to do it well,there is no point of becoming a chef to work inn a bog standard nowhere restaurant,if you want to be a chef and to be a good one,good luck to you !
sherna
Hi
Very interesting & informative article, thank you.
Issy
Are there any Patisserie boarding schools for middle school and high school? I love to bake and decorate desert and love when people like it, i want to become a chocolatier but i also want to be able to make non-chocolate sweets.
Zubair M
I'm in 8th grade (male not female) right now and every weekend I love to bake at least two recipes, since this year I have started taking summer cooking classes and spending holiday money on cooking tools and ingredients , thanks so much for these facts , I been wanting to become a pastry chef ever since I started my culinary journey and now I have more info , cooking is one my favorite things to do in life and I will keep this info in mind
Jaylynn
I was wondering if there were high-school boarding schools for upcoming Patisseries i am a 13year old middle school student and want to go into a sweets profession. thanks!
Colton
I was just wondering,does any1 know what experiences pastry chefs need?
Maisie Newsom
I am currently in year 9 and wondering what grades I need get before entering a pastry school and what lessons I need to attend to get the qualifications I need.
Iera
I would like to become a great pastry chef . But , when it's come to "creative" , I'm afraid . I'm not creative person . And also I cant learn everything so fast . Everything that I learn must be easy and steady . Can anyone give some tips for me ? Should I go on with this ambition or not ? Pleaseeeeee . N btw , I'm 16 years old .
Joe
Very helpful. I have been out of college for 3 years as a kitchen designer, but am getting bored with my career. I love the creative side of what I do, but I just don't feel passion for it. I do enjoy baking and find when I do it time just flies by. I may really consider switching fields as I can use my design experience to help aid on the creative side. Thanks for this article.
Carlos
I'm a current student of The French Pastry School of Chicago. Everything in this article is true, I had 10 years of experience as a savory cook but, pastry is a total diferent field. You need to know whats the chemistry of the ingredients that you are using, otherwise your end product could change in texture, flavor and in some cases will be trash. Also the enviroment that you're working is important. But at the end if you chose to become a pastry chef, the most important thing to know is if you really love doing this job. Work hours will be long,and sometimes no time to take a break or eating.
But let me tell you that the best part is to see the people smile and enjoy your dessert or getting complements for bringing back memories of desserts that they used to have from childhood. this career is a never ending experience because food industry is always innovating and new ideas are always making desserts better every single day. you will never be bored because you will need to reinvent your self in order to keep up with one of the most competitive industries world wide. And lastly you will use some of the coolest equipments such as torches, chill blaster machines. sauce guns, knifes, mold to create figures and sugar showpieces, chocolate tempering machines, heavy duty stoves, ovens that use computers. devices to see the content of sugar inside fruit etc. And you get to have your radio while you are working.....
The Reluctant Gourmet
Thank you Carlos for you comments.
Kereen
Hi my name is Kereen i am from jamaica.after reading this article it motivate me a lot of becoming a pastry chef.so i would encourage anyone who want to become a successful pastry chef to read this article thank you. Up like 7
Sherry
Hello I am Sherry I am from the Philippines.My English teacher made an assignment for me about what kind of course I would like to have when I grow up so then I thought about it a while but then I found out that I wanted to become a Pastry Chef this article was very helpful and informative I was very happy when I passed the paperwork to the teacher by her expression she seemed pretty much impressed so I am very thankful for this article.
Yaeko England
Invaluable ideas - I am thankful for the information - Does anyone know if my company could get a sample OMB SF 424A form to fill in ?
The Reluctant Gourmet
I did a search Yaeko and found https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/SF-424A.pdf
Vaishnavi Desai
Hi
I am 15 and want to become a pastry and baking chef but,I have no idea what to do after 12th so it would be great if you would let me know the steps and the qualification to enter the universities in Canada.
Merle
question: is it important for culinary professionals who are not pastry focus to understand the basics pastry process(timelines managing others, coverage personal marketability, etc) what do u think
Jenni
Great question, Merle. Most culinary programs require at least basic courses in things like cakes, plated desserts, breads, etc, even for folks who want to work the fish station. Oftentimes when starting out in a kitchen, you have to take the position that is open. That might sometimes be in the pastry kitchen or garde manger rather than fry or the hot line. So, yes, I think it's important to be at least conversant with the language of those specialties. From your question, you sound more interested in a managerial position rather than a cooking one, or a combo of the two. In that case, the person you have over the pastry department should be someone whose judgment you trust and who can also take direction when necessary. Not sure if I've completely answered your question, but I hope it helps some.
G. Stephen Jones
Thanks so much Jenni. For all the bakers visiting, Jenni is an incredible baker and blogger. Please visit her at http://www.pastrychefonline.com.
Venus Rod
This is a great read, this really open my eyes. Would it be crazy at age 31 I want to change or even have a second passion in making sweets?
G. Stephen Jones
Crazy, no according to the many people who have contacted me about starting new careers in the food industry at older ages but do your homework well to make sure it is right for you. If possible, find some part time work at a pastry shop or restaurant to make sure this is something you would want to change careers for.
Adjanor Germain
I will thank you or the chef. You are doing great chef.
laurent steven
hi,i am laurent and my question is how many years it take to be a good pastry chef
G. Stephen Jones
Hi Laurent, great question but hard to answer. I think it depends on how much time and effort you put into your education and experiences. How hard you work and your desire behind that work determines how quickly you progress. Some people are faster learners than others so it varies from individual to individual. Cope out answer, I know, but I suggest you speak with as many pastry chefs as you can and ask them this question.