Baking & Pastry Arts
Better Yourself in Baking School
There is definitely an art and science to baking. Gourmet pastry-making takes an eye for design, but ensuring that breads have the proper density takes a certain knowledge of chemistry. Those that enter the baking profession with the desire to produce gourmet quality foods often spend years in training.
Start Your Training in Baking School
In the culinary industry, there are many different paths to take in order to become a gourmet baker. Some people work as apprentices to learn the trade while others attend baking school. Many aspiring bakers do both. Training at a baking school is definitely a worthwhile starting point, because you’ll be exposed to all the different types of baking. Baking schools offer courses in making authentic European breads, artisan breads, pastries, cookies, and cakes, among other courses.
Baking School Helps Students Find Their Talents
Once you’ve received this basic baking training, you may find that you’re better at making pastries than breads, or vice versa. At that point, you can look for a professional baker who has chosen a similar path and work as his/her assistant to further learn your craft. In addition to honing your skills, you’ll hopefully meet others in the field and expand your professional network.
After training at a baking school and with a professional baker, you’ll probably start to develop your own baking style. At this point, you should be able to begin your career by looking for a job at a gourmet bakery or in a restaurant. If you’re willing to take a risk, you may even want to test your entrepreneurial skills and open up your own bakery.
Here is a list of Culinary schools we found offering Pastry Arts.
California Culinary Academy
Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program
Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Baking and Pastry
Pennsylvania Culinary Institute
Le Cordon Bleu Associate in Specialized Business Degree
