What is it? How is it different than a pastry arts degree, I am assuming there is a huge difference.
Long story short I have two young kids at home and really do the full program anytime soon. I heard a community college near me had a program but now I see it is only for a certificate in pastry arts. What will that allow me to do?
Any help is greatly appreciated. I want to get started in something soon
A certificate in pastry allows you to take any of the courses offered in the degree or all of them but you are not required to take the basics such as english, math, etc which are req. for the degree. The training is the same just less credits and therefore less expensive. I chose to go the degree route in case I decide to pursue further education such as a BS degree later and also cause it looks better in the eyes of an employer. If you want the training just for the experience or for self employment than the certificate is fine. hth
I did the certificate course and it was basically the pastry courses without the other academic classes. I didn't want a full culinary course because all I wanted was to eventually do cakes, and I already had a MA so I wasn't going to go through all of the academic stuff again anyway. The certificate gives you the kitchen sanitation and basic kitchen skills, then lets you concentrate on just the pastry side of it. I'm also a picky eater, so I didn't want to have to do a bunch of classes where I might have to eat a green pepper or something even more heinous!
Thanks for the input guys! I am embarassed to say I had no idea a pastry art degree required classes like math etc. I thought it was just the pastry part. I have to look into the certificate more, do I need the full program to work in a bakery? Thats all I really want to start out anyway. Any help appreciated Thanks!
Sue, you might not need any of it to "work in a bakery". I went through the certificate program, and I LOVED it. I highly recommend doing it, but it is expensive, and having a certificate/degree may or may not help you in getting a job at as a decorator. Many of the big name guys never went to culinary school.
Everyone else has already told you but which school are you planning on attending. I myself am trying to find a way to go to get my AA at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone. Just have to figure out afterschool daycare for about two hours for my kindergardener. Wishing you luck!
I'm planning to take the certificate program at the community college here once my littlest kiddo is in kindergarten. I only need one more semester to get the two-year degree but I don't feel like taking any math classes after this many years out of school, and I really only want to do the baking stuff.
Spot on with the advice. I have a certificate and an AA in culinary skills and business management. I plan on going back and getting a pastry possibly. However, I always get weird looks since I work as a pastry chef.
Good luck in school, I'm sure you'll love it.
I am also doing the Pastry/Baking Cert. program. I've done my Servsafe class and Menu Management class, but get to be knee deep in flour starting tomorrow.
I'm so nervous. I havent done this college thing in 10 yrs. But my pastry kit and chef coat is ready to go, just need to get my backpack packed.
The cert program works for me b/c I have 1 kid in 1st grade and 1 in preschool and this allows me to do nights and still be home w/them during the day.
Good Luck!
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