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Selecting a Pastry School
Selecting a Pastry School
Before you pick a pastry school—and begin your career making delicious, sugary creations - read these tips, and find out the ingredients that are essential to your search for perfect pastry schools!
Practice Time
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a pastry arts program is how much hands-on experience you'll get in mastering the fundamentals. Most of us learn best by doing. If the majority of your time is spent in the classroom, listening to how to make the perfect torte, rather than actually practicing the techniques, you may find yourself graduating without the practical skills you need to succeed.
Curriculum Fit
Most certificate and diploma pastry arts programs offer a solid foundation in the fundamentals, preparing you to make a variety of delectable delights, from extravagant pastries to artisan breads. If you'd like to go beyond a short-term program, and pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree, you can expect to also learn the history and theoretical concepts of baking, as well as how to design a baking facility, and develop an elaborate menu.
When thinking about the types of things you'd like to learn in pastry school, you might also want to consider whether or not you want to pursue the traditional path of becoming a pastry chef, or if you're more interested in getting into a different pastry-related field, such as culinary media, or specialty foods. For example, if you dream of launching your own catering business, you might look for a program that can provide you with management and small business education.
Facilities
One thing that will be essential to your career is the industry knowledge you possess. And, the best way to find out if your pastry school can provide you with this essential knowledge is to check out the facilities, and determine if you will be learning on industry-current equipment. If you can learn in an environment that closely simulates the workplace, you'll be that much more prepared to meet the real-world challenges. You'll also want to know if there will be opportunities to connect with professionals in the field through externships, internships, on-campus demonstrations by visiting chefs, and off-campus restaurant visits. Real-world experience is the best way to ensure you have the most up-to-date industry knowledge.
The location of the school you attend can also be an important consideration. For example, many culinary greats live and work in New York, so if you are really interested in having access to pastry professionals, you might want to consider attending school there.
Faculty
Once you have checked the credentials of your school, you should also check out the faculty. Are they master chefs or master bakers? What kinds of industry experience do they have? Is there a wide range of experience among the faculty members that can allow you to potentially get a flavor for all the different elements of the pastry arts? And finally, are they good teachers? Remember, these people could be your future mentors, so you want to know if they can share their experiences and help prepare you for career success.
After reading these tips, are you ready to begin your journey toward a fun, challenging, and rewarding career in the pastry arts? If so, browse this list and find the pastry school that fits your career goals today!
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