What Can You Do With a Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma?
What is the first the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "pastry chef?" Many associate a pastry chef with someone who simply bakes chocolate chip cookies. Pastry chefs who are trainined in baking and pastry arts could be involved in this process, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.
There is a vast array of delectable desserts and gourmet breads that pastry chefs specialize in. Each and every one of them is as unique as varied as the field of baking itself.
What Skills Should a Pastry Chef Posses?
Aside from a desire to bake, pastry chefs should possess other skills. These include creativity, impeccable taste and smell, coordination, as well as organizational and time management skills.
You will sometimes find yourself creating new and unique types of desserts, breads, and pastries. Pairing proper ingredients with your creativity to play with different flavors will prove rewarding. Making foods that appeals to customers will be another strong point in your career. An imaginative mind helps create unique and savory treats.
In order to create masterpieces you will need a vast amount of knowledge surrounding the ingredients you work with, how much you need, and exact cooking times. Time management skills coupled with coordination and organization help you work with ingredients and cook exceptional desserts.
What Types of Treats does a Pastry Chef Make?
Pastry chefs are not your normal run-of-the-mill bakers. Pastry chefs take their baking abilities to the next level, to create eadibles that you cannot find at your local grocery store. Whether these masterpieces are whole cakes for weddings or birthdays, or small bite-sized desserts after an elegant meal, you will utilize all of your skills while doing what you are passionate about.
Petit Fours, Small Cakes with a Big Flavor
Petit fours, French for “small oven,” are a type of tiny dessert which is commonly served at parties and celebrations. The setting they will be served in is just as important as how appetizing they look. Proper planning and organizational will come into play depending on where they will be plated and eaten.
Things to consider are ease of serving, what utensils guests need to eat them with, and what flavor best suits them. Instances where guests will be walking around and mingling would be better suited for clean petit fours rather than ones requiring a fork to eat. Testing out unique flavors may not be the best idea during large gatherings, instead more commonly enjoyed flavors should probably be considered.
Viennoiseries, Baked Goods with Strong Character
Viennoiseries are baked goods made from puff pastry or yeast-leavened dough and filled with your choice of ingredients. The design of the viennoiserie stays relatively the same, but you can get creative when choosing a filling for them. The soft flaky crust usually features a light buttery taste which will not overpower the contents. The possibilities, from fruity and light to sweet and delicate, are endless. Viennoiseries allow you to showcase your creative skills with a multitude of fillings.
Baking :-) (@ Culinary Institute of Virginia - ECPI University School of Culinary Arts) http://t.co/R0IEDfzY
— Katie Tetreault (@kataytastic) March 6, 2012
Are you Cut Out for the Kitchen?
If utilizing your senses and skills to create one-of-a-kind pastries sounds like the right choice for you, then a career as a pastry chef could the perfect choice. Find out more information about our Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma. Contact ECPI University today to discuss course options, funding opportunities, and any other questions you may have.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Baking & Pastry Arts - Diploma
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