Affiliated with King-Kennedy College in Chicago, the French Pastry School offers full-time professional training programs for aspiring bakers and pastry chefs. Students at the school study in one of the school's three main programs geared toward preparing young pastry chefs for culinary careers. A 24-week baking and pastry certificate program is designed to give students a broad, thorough foundation in pastry, baking and confectionery arts. The school's 16-week cake baking and decorating program trains students who wish to specialize in creating custom cakes. The 8-week bread baking course offers instruction in the creation of artisan breads. The school also offers continuing education classes for professionals and food enthusiasts.
The Chicago campus of Le Cordon Bleu College combines classical culinary techniques with modern innovations to educate emerging culinary professionals. The college's Baking and Pâtisserie Associate's Degree program covers a wide range of baking proficiencies including artisan bread baking, European pastry production and fine pâtisserie. Students gain hands-on experience in fundamental baking skills and pastry preparation as well as the theoretical knowledge necessary for success in the field. Graduates are equipped for jobs in restaurants, catering companies, bakeries and hotels.
The Riverworks campus of Chicago's Kendall College offers both a certificate program and associate's degree program in baking and pastry arts. The 6-quarter associate's program teaches students the science behind baking through lecture and hands-on methods.Students apply their knowledge in state-of-the-art commercial kitchen facilities, creating pastries, breads and cakes, as well as fine confections. All students will have the opportunity to create desserts and pastries for the college's Zagat-rated restaurant. The certificate program caters to working adults looking to change careers or expand their knowledge of the baking and pastry arts.
The Illinois Art Institute offers certificates and diplomas in the baking and pastry arts designed especially for students who hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The program gives students a basic foundational knowledge of baking and pastry with courses in breads, confectioneries, preparation of cakes, baking science and foundational cooking skills. All students receive hands-on experience in the institute's modern, up-to-date kitchens. Graduates of the certificate program will be prepared for entry level jobs as prep cooks and pastry assistants.