A high school diploma or equivalent is a normal prerequisite to getting into pastry arts school. If you are applying to a competitive school, any type of cooking background can improve your chances. High school students should take cooking classes offered in their school or join an after-school activity that would give them the opportunity to bake. You can apply to pastry school right out of high school or after taking a few years to get your feet wet in the culinary field. If you do not come from a culinary background, it doesn't mean that you will automatically be rejected from pastry school. Like any other learning institution, pastry schools need diversity. Apply to a school where an interview is part of the application process and tell the admissions officers about your passion for baking or your natural talent.
Las Vegas, Nevada is home to a campus of the acclaimed Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School. The school offers a hands-on baking and pastry arts curriculum. Students will be taught by experienced chefs. Graduates will possess the skills to make desserts that are not only delicious, but visually appealing. Since the school is located in a bustling city, students can take advantage of the opportunity to attend baking events and apply for highly coveted internships.
The Art Institute of Las Vegas gives students the opportunity to earn an associates degree in baking and pastry. Enrolled students will take a variety of classes including advanced restaurant desserts, artisan breads and European cakes. The program includes lectured classes and hands-on pastry making. The school has small class sizes and career placement services. The requirements to graduate include earning 112 credits and completing an internship.
Career opportunities for a pastry chef can be plentiful in Las Vegas or any large city. Pastry chefs can work in a bakery that sells cakes on site or supplies goods to restaurants or stores. This is a great career path for an early riser. Night owls or chefs looking for a career with more publicity and recognition may want to work as a chef in a high-end dining restaurant where they can showcase their desserts to local patrons. The restaurant industry can be a little cutthroat, so new pastry chefs need to be willing to work their way to the top.