A degree in pastry arts??

---

Hello~~ I have a problem..... My girlfriend is confused about pastry chef... She doesnt know where to start.. The people from her college isnt showing any support and shes just stuck. I cant help her so im looking around to find some answers for her.. IS THERE A DEGREE IN PASTRY ART OR DESIGN??? IF THERE IS HOW WOULD YOU LEAD YOURSELF TO BE A SUCCESS IN THAT GOAL??? SHE JUST WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN DESERT DESIGN THING I DONT KNOW,,,, Anybody??
Help me people~~
THANK YOU~~

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Monday, January 03, 2005 - 12:09 pm: Edit

Well, what exactly does she want to do???....and where is she going to school that they are not helping her?????
There are degree(s) in Pastry and/or Baking, depending on what she wants to do, that's why it would be nice to know exactly what she had in mind.
Knowing where you are would also be helpful.

By T_Coy519 (T_Coy519) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 03:35 am: Edit

Hey, thanks for your reply.... Well, shes more into the Dessert dishes... Hmmmmm, like maybe ice cream, or cakes, or candy designs and all that.. Sorry i cant be exact.. She just told me shes into the art of pastry. She not really fond of culinary art.. Shes attending a community college right now and planning to transfer, but doesnt know where.. Could you help her on finding the right path to lead to a better career shes looking for??
Thanks~~

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 11:58 am: Edit

Not beign as vague as you are!!!!!!!!!!!!
How about a country, state, province, city????..planet?????

By Brians (Brians) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 12:49 pm: Edit

ChefManny I think this is a lost cause. It's not even the person looking for help posting.

Sounds like someone who likes to eat candy Icecream and cake looking for a job doing the same. Not quite food pro material.

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 01:19 pm: Edit

That's funny!!!

By T_Coy519 (T_Coy519) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 04:34 pm: Edit

WElll we are in Michigan, Troy

By Andapanda (Andapanda) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 05:44 pm: Edit

The intent of this post is to give a primer on the subject for all future queries about pastry programs in the U.S.A. Because I do not want to belabor the point, please refer to my previous posts on this forum regarding this topic. Yes, there are educational degrees in Pastry Arts, although it is not mandatory to have one to be a successful pastry chef, but it is necessary to know the fundamentals of baking. A prospective Pastry Arts student has several options available depending on: -one's finances, -willingness to travel, -dedication and commitment to learning one's craft. It's a lifelong pursuit.
If one has prior cooking or baking experience and willing to commit to a 3-year pastry cooking apprenticeship, that would be the most realistic exposure to the baking/pastry cooking trade that one could have vis-a-vis a short stint(a few weeks to a few months) as an intern(unpaid)/extern(paid). One would quickly realize the rigors of working in a production-oriented environment and determine if one is suited for the pastry cooking trade.

ACF accredited pastry cooking apprenticeship:
http://seaislandpeople.com/Content/contentct.asp?p=34

If one has little or no experience in baking/pastry cooking, then the other option would be to enroll in a Baking and Pastry Arts program at a community college or culinary arts school. Most Baking and Pastry Arts programs are one-year certificate programs, although a few schools offer 2-year degrees. If one chooses to attend a community college or culinary arts school, then it would be advisable to work as a baker or pastry cook while attending school, preferably at a high-end hotel bakeshop or country club.

Check Shaw's Guide to Cooking Schools:
http://cookingcareer.shawguides.com/

GRCC Baking and Pastry Arts certificate program:
http://www.grcc.edu/ShowPage.cfm?PageID=1954
GRCC HED Faculty:
http://www.grcc.edu/?PageID=1226

Some chefs advise against specializing in baking/pastry arts, but rather, to study baking/pastry arts in order to become a versatile cook.
Good luck.

By Chefspike (Chefspike) on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 08:14 pm: Edit

ya, you have to learn how to make it before you can learn how to build and decorate it.
Troy, Mich. when I was a kid it was a hole.
Call Schoolcraft Comm. College, in Livonia, Mich.
Set up a appointment with the Pastry Chef, go ask him question reguarding what you want to do.
I believe he will tell you the same things as others here have.
Maybe they have room for someone who justs wants to do Pastry and Baking but not regular cooking.
You may find there is a 2 year waiting list.
But you never know what you can work out if you don't ask.
Tell him Spike gives reguards as a alumni, and I studied under Chef Stec, and Herman Breightaupt.
Good luck.

By T_Coy519 (T_Coy519) on Sunday, January 09, 2005 - 04:27 pm: Edit

Thank you all for being so cool~~