Pastry School Or Not?????????
Decorating By morphis1208 Updated 15 Oct 2006 , 6:48pm by SugarCreations
Hi everyone. I have a very important question to ask. I am relatively new to cake decorating and absolutely love it. I want one day to own my own cake shop/bakery. So the quesion is in your opinion do you think that pastry school is a wise choice. It's rather pricey almost $50,000 and we all know that starting out in this business is not the quick road to big $$$. I have talked with a head chef at a culinary school and he in not so many words told me that being a pastry chef is pretty much dead end, but I think that he is talking more large scale he referenced the Rtiz Carlton and big classy resturants like that. I on the other hand am thinking on a much smaller scale. So I would love to have your opinion on this those of you who have the schooling and those that don't. I just need to know if it's worth justifying the $50,000.
TIA 
I would probably skip on pastry school at that price! I'd opt for the Wilton classes in Illinois. Or check a local community college. Here in Omaha, we have a hugely expanded culinary program that is turning heads and the tuition is extremely reasonable. I think they now have waiting lists to get in.
I went and loved every second. It's pricy but I still feel well worth the knowledge. Baking is chemistry andmany don't realize that. I wanted to understand the ingredients and now I do. No one can take away the knowledge I have gained. Do what you love! 
AHHH the wilton classes wouldn't I LOVE to take them, unfortunatley my schedule doesn't allow me to be gone from home for that long.
I went culinary school. I did not have the luxury of just pastry school at the time. Yes it is informative but no I did not learn cakes from it. All I do is self taught. Never took a decorating class-nothing. I was pastry chef for a fancy restaurant and yes it can go nowhere fast. But it can also go somewhere great. Working in restaurant and doing cakes is completetly different. It is what you want to do.
I am a example that you can teach yourself what you need to know! A cost control class is very helpful too!
I went and loved every second. It's pricy but I still feel well worth the knowledge. Baking is chemistry andmany don't realize that. I wanted to understand the ingredients and now I do. No one can take away the knowledge I have gained. Do what you love!
Its like you took the words out of my mouth, we have a culinry program at the local community college here for about $77 a credit. they have a class even for cakes, decorating etc. I'd love to go.
I think it is really important to take all aspects of you life into consideration too. This is a HUGE decision. I think that most people have a change in careers at some point in their life.
That's a huge investment. Since you are relatively new to this, I would make absolutely sure it's what you wanted to do. I would work in a bakery for a while to see if this pace and all the demands that go with it are really what you want to do. I have thought about pastry school myself, but I don't really want to do all the things you do in pastry school. Just give me cakes !!! 
If it were me, I would take specialized classes that teach you the things you want to focus on. There are so many things out there if you look around. Not knocking pastry school in any way - it's just a lot of money!
What school? Florida Culinary Institue because I notice you are from that state. You have to look at it in terms of your long range goals. Ask yourself do I want to work in 4 and 5 star hotels, plush resort kitchens etc... Contrary to what you may think life in a commerical kitchen even for a pastry chef is no glitz and glamour, long hours, hard work and the pay sometimes isn't always that great. If you get a chance pick up a copy of "The making of a Pastry Chef" the authors name escapes me at the moment. Your better off finding employment in a commerical kitchen be it part time or full time just to get your feet wet and determine if spending that kind of cash is worth the end result. Suffice it to say you are your own judge, jury and decision maker getting feedback from others is great but in the end you have to make the call about school. Go to www.pastrychef.info there is an article there that you should read it will give you more info the site is maintained by Chef Martin Chiffers one of the best Pastry and Sugar Artists in the world. If the link is wrong let me know I will double check it. In the meantime good luck.
Rgds Sugarcreations
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