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Pastry baking is a delicate combination of three basic ingredients: art, science and business.
It’s not only the design and development of diverse desserts from cakes and cookies to fancy flans and fillings, European pastries and tortes not to mention specialty breads and buns, but also the operation of a bakeshop including production, financial management, training and staffing.
The key ingredients are: energy (physical and mental fitness), talent (a flair for food), and a positive attitude (enthusiasm, a good sense of humor, and a willingness to learn from the best in one’s field).
What makes a great chef is an abiding respect for the products, the people and the process – all of which are necessary for turning any dream into reality.
• Creativity – a willingness to experiment with new flavors and decorations so guests say “wow” after a delectable dessert experience!
• Emotional Involvement – a passion for food and fellowship not to mention a pinch of fantasia that makes your life worth living.
• Manual dexterity and visual interpretation – the ability to transform the basic food group into a picture-perfect feast for the eyes and a mouth-watering delight for the palate.
There are many fine public and private institutions in both North America and Europe which have excellent programs, faculty, and facilities dedicated to providing a quality learning environment for those wishing to enter the field of culinary arts.
These programs vary in length, usually from one to two years duration, but offer a variety of learning opportunities including classroom-based learning, apprenticeships, internships, and practical on-the-job experience.
Upon graduation, students can expect to earn between $8-$12/hour rising to a range of $35,000 to $55,000 annually as a pastry chef in the hotel industry, fine dining restaurants, catering services as well as specialty baking and confectionary shops. Those wishing to enter the field of self-employment may use these their talents to open a small restaurant or augment a home-based, bed-and-breakfast business.
Cooking like life requires passion and purpose, plus a large dollop of both patience and persistence. If you adore creating colorful cakes, delectable desserts, or breathtaking buns, then count your lucky stars because there’s a fantastic career waiting for you.
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