Posted by Shane on June 15, 1998 at 00:16:30:
In Reply to: Pastry/Baking Culinary School? posted by dawn shoen on June 14, 1998 at 22:45:41:
: I'm a 37yr. old looking to change my occupation. I would like to become a pastry/baking chef. The only experience i have right now is baking from childhood to now. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has gone to any of the schools out there. Anyone who has gone to J & W, Florida Culinary Institute or Penn Tech? I would appreciate any advice or comments. What are my prospects post graduation for employment? Thanks!
:Dawn,
My experience was similiar to yours, 37, wanted career change and never cooked/baked commercially but had enjoyed the experiences immensely since as long as I could remember. When I decided to take the plunge and explore schools, I was consistently told to get some real life experience to see if it was the sort of thing I would want to do for a living. So I did a couple things: I enrolled in a variety of amateur classes being offered at a local cooking school and most importantly, I volunteered my time working at restaurants and bakeries. People always welcome free