IHM - Who is a Pastry Chef? How to become one!

Pastry Chef : Overview:

A pastry chef is a chef who works in a kitchen and creates a variety of baked goods such as sweets, candies, desserts, cookies, brownies, pastries, and bread. Pastries and Confectioneries chefs typically work as regular chefs and cooks in restaurants or hotels before earning their titles. Many people are promoted to leadership positions as a result of their work performance and inventiveness.

Chefs of pastries and confectioneries often specialize in one facet of pastry production, while others may create a wide range of distinctive baked dishes. For example, a chef with an artisan craft business might sell numerous sorts of bread. You can bake cakes, pastries, and brownies if you manage a bakery, or you can specialize in one type of dessert. Most of the pastry chefs may prepare a range of breads and pastries depending on where they work.

Skills Required:

• Bakers must be able to operate ovens and other equipment. They must utilize mathematics skills to measure components, and their chemistry expertise allows them to ensure that their confections are baked properly.
• Pastry chefs must be inventive when developing new recipes or updating old ones. Additionally, bakers at craft stores or private bakeries flourish by creating unique cupcake and wedding cake embellishments.
• Pastries and Confectioneries chefs need management abilities, especially if they own bakeries and/or supervise a large workforce.
• Customers will place orders with pastry chefs, but depending on the sort of dessert or cuisine requested, pastry chefs may require additional time to complete those particular orders.
• Pastries and Confectioneries chefs should manufacture enough pastries to match demand on any given day, and protocols for accepting and completing specialty requests should be developed. Finally, they must manage their time well.
• Because baking and preparing Pastries and Confectioneries takes time, pastry chefs must be patient. They must also have patience when training new employees.

I've made up my mind! So, what's the first thing you should do?

Whatever style of pastry you select or where you live, there are a few things you can do to ensure a great start to your profession. Following these will assist you in staying on track.

STEP-1: Research a Lot

Read dessert books, watch youtube, participate in online pastry-making forums, and visit baking websites. You may be able to acquire recipe books and speak with skilled pastry chefs who can provide more guidance.

STEP-2: Start by Self-Practice

Practicing at home is one of the finest methods to gain skill with Pastries and Confectioneries. You can work at your own pace and use a variety of resources to get started, such as cooking shows and recipe books. It's also beneficial to have someone with you to test your recipes and ensure that you're baking safely.

STEP -3 : Take Culinary Courses

You can acquire a degree from any of these programmes if you attend a culinary school or take advantage of culinary programmes at colleges and institutions. A two-year associate degree programme and a three- or four-year bachelor's degree programme are available. Full-time attendance at a culinary school will equip you with technical training and knowledge. Make sure to investigate the institutions ahead of time and, if possible, visit the facilities.

STEP-4: Getting hands-on experience in the real world

Working in a neighborhood bakery or competing in baking competitions are both good ways to get experience. The former is the most favorable, and some kitchens may hire you regardless of whether or not you have a formal degree.

Is formal education necessary?

Pastries and Confectioneries chefs, in general, do not require any formal education. Even if they don't have a formal degree, cooks and bakers can often find work in bakeries. Pastries and Confectioneries chefs with extensive experience may be required in specific companies with kitchens that serve pastries. In some high-end restaurants and hotels, pastry chefs may be required to acquire an associate or bachelor's degree in order to advance.

What are some of the best pastry schools in India?

Pastry making courses are usually available as Diploma Programs. A three-month diploma programme costs Rs. 1,25,000 on average. The cost of a six-month diploma programme is Rs.2,20,000.

Some of the best pastry schools in India are:

ITM institute of Hotel Management

APCA, Bangalore

De’ pastry school, Kerala

ASKIBC, Bangalore

Nirali Cookery, Maharashtra

Lavonne Academy of Baking Science, Bangalore

Lifestyle of a Pastry Chef:

Pastries and Confectioneries chefs can work in a variety of settings, including craft stores, specialty bakeries, store bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and hotels. A chef's work environment can be fast-paced or reasonably relaxed, depending on the place of employment and the demands of customers. Pastry chefs must work quickly, especially when taking orders (from a hotel or directly from consumers).

A pastry chef must also be able to stand for lengthy periods of time, as cooks, bakers, and candy makers do. Pastries and Confectioneries chefs should eat healthy meals and exercise often to maintain their stamina.

Perks of becoming a Pastry chef

A profession as a pastry chef has some unique advantages. Above all, you get to utilize desserts as a canvas on which to express your creativity. Every day in the "office" entails creating bespoke delights, so you'll never do the same thing twice. You'll be able to sample all of the tastiest sweets, which is ideal if you have a sweet tooth! It also includes the ability to work and study many forms of projects wherever in the country or around the world!