Becoming a pastry chef can be a rewarding career. You can work for a restaurant, hotel or cruise ship, and if you get very good, you can even think about opening your own little cafe. Obviously, a love of creating delicious cakes and pastries is essential to forging a career as a pastry chef. But what other skills do you need? Let’s take a look.
Personality
Anyone who has experience of working in a kitchen will have a good idea of the sort of character required to succeed in one. Kitchens are tough places to work, and it can be a very stressful job. Working in a kitchen requires a particular type of mindset.
First of all, you need to be organized and precise. You should also be prepared to put a shift in and, as a pastry chef, you will often be expected to start work at a very early hour. The tough conditions mean you have to be disciplined and have a determined outlook on life. And, yes, in most cases, that means saying goodbye to your weekends.
Skills
Essentially, a pastry chef is a baker with a difference. You will be making cakes, donuts, pies and unbaked desserts, either on your own or under the guidance of a head chef. You will need a creative outlook on food and an eye for presentation. You will also need to add up measurements when needed, and at a moment’s notice. The basis of your job will be mixing the right combination of flour, eggs, milk, sugar and plenty of fruit. A good memory is also essential, as is the ability to work in ratios.
Qualifications
There are plenty of ways to get into the industry. The easiest—although that phrase discounts all the hard work you will do—is to start at the bottom and work your way up. If a chef can see you are a) enthusiastic, b) hard working, and c) able to get the basics of flavor, you could find yourself getting promoted when a position becomes available.
You can also study at college. Degrees and diplomas in culinary arts are available from many universities and can lead to entry-level jobs in a bakery or restaurant. Although it is likely you will start your career at the bottom rung, you may find your pathway to pastry chef could be shorter than it would be without your qualification. However, the truth is it mainly depends on your talent and work ethic.
Any Other Questions?
Of course there are. You want to know about the money. A pastry chef’s salary can range across a broad spectrum. Training wages are usually low and can drop below $900 per month. However; as you progress, you can expect that to rise quickly. A pastry chef supervisor can earn anything up to $2,500 each month. And, of course, if you start a successful business and make it happen for yourself, you can name your price. Need to know more? Head over to this excellent guide on how to become a pastry chef for a more in-depth look at the trade.
Becoming a pastry chef is no easy task. You have to display some core qualities and put your head down and work hard. You will also need to be able to work in high-pressure situations and put everything you have into your job. Because, quite simply, there is nothing fiercer than the heat and emotion of a working kitchen.
Photo by Zoe Magee
Mia Guerra
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