Last Updated on October 5, 2022
Pastry schools are great institutions that teach a vast range of techniques, from French classic to molecular. However, top pastry schools have so much more to offer. A formal training in this field provides you with the technical tools, basic skills and the mental discipline that is essential to thrive and function in this competitive industry.
In this article, we shall consider the top 15 pastry chefs schools in the world that provides quality training and education that is capable of transforming you into a pastry chef and set you on top of your game.
But before we delve into listing the schools, it might interest you to know who a pastry chef is? What pastry chef schools are? How to become a chef? Charististics of pastry chefs, Responsibilities of pastry chefs, benefits of enrolling in a pastry chef school and the list of top pastry chefs schools in the world! Keep reading for more information.
Table of Contents
Who is a pastry chef?
A pastry chef is a schooled and skilled professional who specializes in making deserts, pastries, breads as well as other baked goods in a professional kitchen, which could be in a restaurant, bakery, hotel kitchen or on a cruise ship.
What are Pastry Chef Schools?
Pastry chef schools which are also referred to as Pastry Art schools are vocational learning institute that allow you the opportunity to express creativity in pastry.
It is also seen as an instruction where you master the art of food inventory, kitchen management, international cooking methods, and also a variety of other valuable skills that are required for both fundamental and advanced cooking, baking and pastry making in order to measure up with global standards.
The training covers learning everything about proper mixing of flour, different diets, several baking techniques, preparing a variety of tasty and nutritional meals, plus other kitchen skills and food safety measures.
How to become a Pastry Chef?
If you have to passion for cooking or baking and even making pastries and you desire to become a pastry chef. Below are some of the ingredients that is required launch you into achieving your dream career. They include:
Pick an area of specialty in pastry-making
Pastry field has several areas of specializations, ranging from baking to candy making, it is essential you decide on which would be more suitable, appealing and enjoyable for you to do on a regular basis.
Carryout some research about the industry
As a potential pastry chef, begin by researching about the industry and seek which area of the pastry arts you’re very much interested in pursuing a career in. Reading books on pastry-making, watch videos, visit online forums dedicated to pastry-making and visit baking websites. Also, finding books with recipes and communicate with experienced pastry-makers who can give you extra advice will come very handy in assisting you to have the basic insight of the field you are aspiring for.
Education
Taking classes at a pastry school can be a added advantage of acquiring the technical skills and education required to thrive in this field and launch your career. There are many programs to pick from, however you usually should expect to cover areas such as nutrition, baking techniques, cake decorating, food preparation fundamentals, pastry arts, plating, food service, and culinary management, including sanitation and food safety measures.
Practice baking on your own
Practicing on your own at the confine of your home or established kitchen is one of the best ways to gain experience. It allows you the benefit of working at your own pace and using several resources, like cooking shows and recipe books to assist you in getting started. You could also get someone to test your recipes and to ensure you are adopting safe baking.
Get some real-world experience
This can be achieved through working at a local bakery, in commercial kitchen as an intern or apprentice which could last for a year or more or by partaking in baking contests, which are considered an essential part of learning process and also very advantageous in propelling you for mastery in your desired field of specialization.
Characteristics of Pastry Chefs
It is very crucial that Pastry chefs have the following skills which include:
Technical knowledge
This involves the ability of chefs to operate ovens and other machinery. They also apply mathematical insight in measuring ingredients and also knowledge of chemistry which allows them to ascertain that their confections are baked in the proper conditions.
Creativity
Creativity is essential to be utilized by pastry chefs when creating new recipes or updating old ones. Also, coming up with a unique decoration for your pastries will assist you in thriving in this career path.
Managerial skills
Pastry chefs are required to have managerial skills, most especially when they operate their own bakeries or oversee a large number of staff. They are regarded as leaders in the kitchen.
Time management
Time management skill is required in taking orders from customers depending on their preference of dessert or food the customers wants or desires and deliver accordingly and on time. One best way of managing time effectively is by preparing sufficient pastries to meet the demand of customers on any given day and establish policies for taking and satisfying specialized orders.
Patience
Patience is vital for pastry chefs as baking as well as making confections requires more time. And also patience is highly required in training members of their staff.
Motivation skill
Pastry chefs are often more of the early morning workers and they also have a extended hour of operation. Hence, a pastry chef is expected to have a strong and unwavering personal motivation and the capacity to motivate others so as to achieve the set task for a given day.
A superior sense of taste and smell skill
Pastry chefs are also expected to exhibit an exceptional ability to perceive aromas and taste flavors.
Responsibilities of Pastry Chefs
A pastry chef might perform responsibilities, which the following include:
- They create menus.
- They invent their own recipes for breads and desserts.
- Updating older recipes is also part of their responsibility.
- They are responsible for decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes
- Training newly employed or applied cooks and bakers
- Overseeing staff and their activity in the kitchen.
- Taking and fulfilling orders from customers
- They managing a kitchen by taking inventory and confirming that everyone in the kitchen sticks to a healthy and safety measures.
Benefits of enrolling in a Pastry School
Here are some of the benefits you will get from enrolling in a pastry school such as:
- Developing lifelong healthy and hygienic habits in the Kitchen.
- It allows you to gain exposure to advanced techniques, skills and cuisines from around the world.
- It provides access to networking and several opportunities to students and alumni
- It offers provides the ability to study with several chefs instructors in pastry school.
- Pastry school has the potential to open more career prospects and opportunities.
- It’s expose students to both practical and theoretical knowledge required to set them at the peak of the game in this industry.
- You will learn and master how to prepare delicious meals.
- Obtain a well-rounded education in their specialized field of study.
Without further ado, let’s now dive into the list of the top pastry schools.
Top 15 Pastry Chef Schools In The World
1. French Culinary Institute
This is one of the top-notch pastry chef schools in the world which was designed by the legendary Jacques Torres. French culinary institute has campuses in New York City and likewise in San Francisco Bay Area. The school currently is named the international culinary center in the aforementioned centers in US. They offer programs for full-timer which is for a period of 6 months, and part-time night school is for 9 months. The tuition fee ranges from $38,000 to $41,000 per year.
2. The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes.
This is a renowned institute that offers an exceptional bakery and pastry courses at its various colleges spread across selected cities. The art institutes are found in several American cities which include Houston, Denver and Seattle. Each of these schools homes various international culinary schools. It also offers Diploma and associate degree courses that are available at affordable rates as well as good quality training experience.
3. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
Le Cordon culinary art school is one of the top 15 pastry chef schools in the world and also the best places to attend as a potential chef. Paris, France homes the main branch. The institution has a record of producing many chefs who came out with flying colors upon completing their degrees and thrive internationally. Hollywood Los Angeles, San Francisco, Maimi, and other locations are designated locations to apply for their pastry chef program in the US. You can choose the 15 weeks diploma or the 30-month associate degree program that is available, which cost around €8,100 (plus €500 application fees) and €22,800 (plus €1500 application fees) per year.
4. The Culinary Institute of America
Culinary institution of American which is located in the Hyde Park, New York, is reputable for producing highly skilled and trained chefs. It offers Baking and Pastry Arts Associate in Occupational Studies AOS, and Baking and Pastry Arts Bachelor degree which are for 21 months and 38 months respectively. The school also offers some weeks of externship training and teaching on how to run a pastry business. The average annual tuition fee is above $40,000 which could reduce for students on grants or scholarships in the institution.
5. Star Career Academy
Star Career Academy campus is located in the Hyde Park, New York. This is one of the top-notch pastry chef schools in North America due to it through coursework and highly recommended by past graduates. Either as a part-time or full-time student, you can earn a certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts. Star Career Academy offers diverse subspecialties in pastries and confectionery arts that you could dive into and also countless occupational programs with reasonable entry conditions.
6. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Auguste Escoffier has an approved curriculum which focused on teaching both cooking skills and techniques. Specialization in both culinary and pastry arts education are available for both freshers and professionals in this career path. With its campuses spread around the US, this school offers diploma and degree programs for aspiring pastry chefs. And top it up; students after graduation from this institute are entitled to get career support services. The tuition fee starts from around $22,110 with exemption of other expenses like registration, accommodation, and the likes.
7. Kendall College School of Culinary Arts
Kendall College School of Culinary Arts is among the top 15 pastry chef schools in the world which has made reputable impact on the international cuisine which can be confirmed by some of the e high-end pastry chefs working in well-to-do establishments both In the USA and around the world. It is also renowned for its active contributions to innovation in food and also beverage industry. The tuition fee for this school is $8,131 excluding the cost of accommodation and application fees.
8. New England Culinary Institute
The new England culinary institute which has a branch that is located in Vermont, USA, and as the name implies it was found in England in 1980. The school has a reputation for producing world-class chefs in several luxury resorts, vacation villas, cruise ships, and hotels inclusive. With a tuition fee of $40,221 without any financial and but can reduce by 39% if the student receives aid from either the government or the school. They offer a variety of courses which includes baking and pastry, culinary arts, food, and beverage management.
9. The School of Artisan Food.
This pastry school which is located in the Nottingham’s Sherwood Forest in the UK is one of the best schools to learn and sharpen one’s cooking skills in Europe. It is reputed for offering a thorough training in the art of bread making, cheese making, and many other artisan skills. The school which is highly recommended by some graduates offers specialized education which is conducted in a very conducive environment.
10. Castello di Vicarello
Castello di Vicarello is a fun place to be if you want to expand your skills as an amateur home cook. Professional cooking lessons are available to registered members of this institute. The school is a Castle Hotel in Tuscany which is located in Italy, where rich guests and elites come to relax and get soaked in the breeze of the Mediterranean climate. At the castle you have the opportunity to learn how to make a perfect pasta and bread.
11. The Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, New York
The Culinary Institute of America offers degree programs in a large scope of fields, from culinary and pastry arts to management. As part of their studies, students spends up to 1,300 hours in kitchens and bakeries and are opportune to work with over 170 chefs from 19 different countries so as to groom and enhance their skills in pastry. The CIA offers students with over 1,200 diverse extenship opportunities, as well as some of the most exclusive restaurant in the country. The ProChef Certification program which is run in this school validates skills as chef progress in their careers, which is a bonus to the traditional degree program.
12. Kendell College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management
Some most celebrated foodies industries nationally have emerged from Hendall’s College of Culinary Art. The school offers program in culinary art associate and bachelor’s degrees, including certificate are available at the school. In 2013, the school was reaffirmed by The Higher Learning Commission and also regarded as the best program in Chicago for studying culinary arts.
13. Institute of Culinary Education New York
Institute of Culinary Education New York is a top culinary school in America, and also one of the largest in the world. ICE offers award-winning six to thirteen-month professional training programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, Health-Supportive Culinary Arts, Restaurant & Culinary Management, and Hospitality including Hotel Management, as well as professional development programs in Bread Baking and Cake Decorating. It also provides continuing education to culinary experts. And also hosts up to 500 special events per year.
14. Sullivan University Louisville and Lexington
Sullivan University is known to be a national center for hospitality studies. Students within a period of 18 months of study in this institute can earn their associate degree which covers a practicum or externship. With over 400 medals brought home by the students on culinary competition team from several competitions around the globe. Also with the top-notch education students receive offers graduates the ability to work in hospitals, cruise ships, restaurants, and schools as chefs, nutritionists, food scientists, and caterers.
15. Metropolitan Community College Omaha
Metropolitan Community College has an accredited culinary art and management program as well as degree programs and certificates that satisfy the need of culinary professionals at every level. Programs in the culinary arts and management associate degree programs include culinary arts, baking and pastry, and culinary transfer are the options available. Students are allowed to work in the kitchen laboratories, where they learn skills firsthand while working alongside experienced pastry experts.
Conclusion
All pastry schools listed above teach aspiring chefs from the grassroots of where food comes from to how it is prepared and served on the table. Learning in one of the top 15 pastry chef schools in the world will encourage students to uphold sustainable practices of food sanitation and food quality inside and outside the kitchen and also give you the best experience as well as exposure to a wide range of professionals in the world who are best in the game. Best wishes in finding the perfect school for your dreams.