Many community colleges offer two-year associate degrees in Baking & Pastry Arts. The Department at Wake Tech Community College says graduates of an A.S. program can become baking/pastry assistant,s area pastry chefs or assistant pastry chefs. Many can also become cake designers, bakery managers or business owners. Continuing education beyond an Associate's degree could lead to a degree in food service management or hospitality.
Many pastry chefs have chosen to study at the French Culinary Institute or France's Le Cordon Blue for a classical education in pastry preparation. The Baking and Pastry arts division of Le Cordon Blue incorporates European pastry techniques and training in pastry aesthetics into its programs. These programs are broadly available thanks to locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and other cities. The French Culinary Institute's locations in New York City and Campbell, California offer 600 hours of instruction, leading to a Classic Pastry arts degree.
Many modern culinary programs teach students to be mindful of allergies and health concerns when preparing food. Learning how to cook lighter and healthier could open the door to a career as a personal chef. Johnson & Wales offers a Culinary Nutrition degree for those who have already completed their Baking and Pastry Arts degree programs.
If completing a program is an urgent priority for you, look for schools that will accomodate your goals.
The Culinary Institute of America offers a 30-week certificate program that weds Contemporary Topics in Culinary Arts with Baking and Pastry Skill Development. Johnson and Wales offers an accelerated Baking & Pastry Arts Associate's degree program for those with extensive food experience or have taken food-related coursework.