FAQs on Baking and Pastry Arts Programs

Pursing a career in the art of delicious dessert making and baking, like the culinary arts in general, requires dedication (long hours are common), patience (knead gently!), and an understanding of the ways flavors, textures and environments can work for (or against!) the final products.

What is the diference between Baking and the Pastry Arts?

Baking and pastry arts are very closely related. In fact, many schools offer programs that combine the two. Baking refers simply to the act of combining and baking ingredients at specified temperatures for certain amounts of time. Many bakers early in their careers work for industrial bakeries and wholesale outlets, and are restricted to following recipes developed by that company.

The pastry arts, on the other hand, are more creative. Pastry chefsdevelop and test new recipes for pastries, desserts, bread and other baked goods. They use skills in baking, as well as other culinary arts skills, to create their final products.

What will I learn in the pastry and baking program at culinary school?

You’ll work alongside professional chefs who will teach you fundamental baking skills and theoretical knowledge required to be successful in this demanding field.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills or start a new career, you’ll learn how to design and create edible showpieces, plate desserts, and master other culinary skills like artisanal bread production. Emphasis is also placed on business essentials and critical thinking if you're interested in opening your own businesses. 

What jobs can I pursue with a pastry and baking degree?

Careers with a baking degree can include but are not limited to: pastry chef, line and pantry cooks, bakery owner, chocolatier, caterer, artisan bread baker, cake decorater, and more. With a degree in patisserie and baking, you’ll be able to take your culinary skills anywhere in the world. Bread is, after all, a fundamental human food.

What’s the salary range and industry outlook for careers in this field?

Salaries for pastry chefs and bakers can vary depending on where you live and work. The highest paid individuals are usually found in upscale restaurants and hotels in metropolitan cities.

Pastry chefs make between roughly $36,000 - $56,000, depending on area and experience. Executive pastry chefs in New York can make as much as $72,000*.

Although competition will be steep for upscale restaurant jobs, job growth for pastry chefs is comparable to that of other highly skilled chefs and cooks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth of 6% through 2018, about as fast as average.

What culinary schools offer baking programs?

Two culinary academies with campuses across the nation include Le Cordon Bleu and The Art Institutes. Both campuses also offer their students hands-on training in facilities with equipment widely used in the industry today.