A Day in the Life of a Pastry Chef

For a culinary career that requires patience, knowledge, and a delicate hand, many aspiring chefs turn to career training at pastry school. However, a day in the kitchen for a trained pastry chef is about more than just food.
Pastry chefs are relied upon by executive chefs to develop and perfect a dessert menu that complements the appetizers and entrees. To complete their duties, pastry chefs are often found away from the heat of the kitchen line.

Pastry Chef Responsibilities Go Beyond Baking

While a line-level pastry chef in a large restaurant might have basic duties involving baking and plating standard desserts, the executive pastry chef faces significantly more responsibility. In a given day, an executive pastry chef might:

• Meet with the executive chef to plan a complementary set of desserts
• Order appropriate ingredients and supplies for the coming days or weeks
• Supervise pastry chefs in preparing and plating dishes
• Plan and create complex dessert orders

At any level, pastry chefs must be organized, detail-oriented, and efficient. The fast-paced restaurant industry demands a high level of training and ability, and graduates of specialized pastry school programs may be able to translate their career training into the best job opportunities.

Pastry Chefs Enjoy Career Opportunities Outside the Restaurant

While many pastry chefs will be found in restaurant kitchens, those with culinary training and experience may find other opportunities away from the line. Here are a few popular careers for experienced pastry chefs:

• Wedding cake maker or other specialized baking business owner
• Caterer and event planner for weddings, banquets, and other functions
• Baker for specialized patisseries and high-end bakeries

Pastry chefs trained at culinary institutes can be found in a variety of occupations. For chefs with a talent for sweets, pastry school may be a hot opportunity.

Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.