With good growth potential, a solid paycheck, and the chance to spend your days whipping cream and pouring melted chocolate, pastry chef job opportunities have never been so tempting.
Education for Pastry Chefs
Earning a degree can give your pastry chef job opportunities a real boost. In addition to the training you receive in your classes, you might find it easier to discover internship opportunities that can bolster your career. If you would like to become a pastry chef, you have two main education options.
First, you could earn your degree or certificate in pastry arts. Pastry arts degrees generally do not take as long as culinary arts degrees, so you can start your new job faster. However, you might miss out on the broader education that a culinary arts degree provides, and you might find it difficult to move from working as a pastry chef to working as a regular chef.
Your other option is to earn your degree in the broader field of culinary arts. This option gives you more flexibility, but your program probably will not spend as much time on pastry preparation as a program devoted to training pastry chefs. Internships and on-the-job training can help to make up for the lack of in-class instruction.
Job Prospects for Pastry Chefs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pastry chefs can expect to earn around $14.75 per hour. Solid growth in pastry chef careers is expected through 2014, though there will be a lot of competition for positions at the best restaurants.
