Pastry Chef
What is a Pastry Chef?
Pastry Chefs are in demand!
Here’s a finger-licking, sweet job for you! If you have a passion for food, particularly pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods, then becoming a Pastry Chef may be the job for you.
They are usually employed in large hotels, in upmarket restaurants and in bakeries.
Some Pastry Chefs work on cruise liners – so, this job, could take you to interesting places around the world!
A Pastry Chef can also be called a confectioner. Some Pastry Chefs may even consider doing extra training so that they can become chocolatiers as well.
The more training you have, the more employable you will become.
What does a Pastry Chef do?
- meeting and discussing details and plans with the head chef
- planning the menus
- designing, making and tasting new dishes
- keeping stock and ordering stock
- preparing the menu dishes, baking breads and making desserts etc
- researching in cookery books and magazines to get inspired
- constantly upgrading training and experience
Are you … ?
- crazy about food and working with food?
- creative?
- a person with a strong personality?
- a person who has a taste for flavours?
- organised?
- a good communicator?
- good with your hands?
- detail orientated?
- a person who takes pride in their work?
- able to work under extreme stress?
- a team player
How do I become a Pastry Chef?
There are different options to take:
Education and Training Colleges (FET) may offer programmes for specific Trade or Skills: eg. Pastry Chef.
Visit the Career Planet Training Institutions page to find your nearest FET College.
For example:
- ORBIT FET COLLEGE:
http://www.orbitcollege.co.za/
Private institutions:
- PRUE LEITH:
http://www.prueleith.co.za/article/pastry-chef-courses/#.UFBKViJ4O_0
- CAPSICUM CULINARY SCHOOL:
Offers day courses, part-time and a full time Diplomas in Patisserie
http://www.capsicumcooking.com/courses.htm
- FBI CHEF SCHOOL & PATISSERIE ACADEMY:
Offers a 6 month Diploma in Patisserie and a 1 year Advanced Diploma in Patisserie
http://www.fbichefschool.co.za/full-time-courses/
- SOUTH AFRICAN CHEFS ASSOCIATION:
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Chef and Caterer
Is becoming a Pastry Chef the right career choice for me?
See below for more info.
