Careers in cake decorating and pastry arts require little to no formal education. Learn about the training, job duties and optional certification for bakers to see if this is the right career for you.
Essential Information
Individuals who enjoy baking and decorating cakes and pastries may find careers as cake decorators rewarding and fun. Cake decorators are specialized bakers. Culinary programs for aspiring cake decorators teach students how to blend colors and create shapes and figures. Aside from attending a culinary or technical school, bakers can be trained through apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Some certifications are also available in this field.
Step 1: Consider a Cake Decorating and Pastry Arts Career
Cake decorating is a hands-on industry. Possible positions for those interested in cake decorating and pastry arts may include pastry artisan, bakery owner, cake designer and caterer. A culinary degree in cake decorating provides students with the skills needed to open their own bakery or cake decorating shop, with apprenticeships available to help them obtain the knowledge they need to get started.
Step 2: Decide on a Training Program
Individuals interested in learning the art of cake decorating and creating pastry have several academic options, from courses and diploma programs to certificate and degree programs. Diploma and certificate programs often take one year to complete, while associate's degree programs usually require two years of theoretical study and practice. Students develop culinary skills that qualify them for employment at bakeries and specialty shops, as well as working on their own.
Step 3: Take Courses
In addition to cake decorating and pastry arts courses, participants learn about safety, sanitation, nutrition and business. While students take courses, a majority of the program entails hands-on learning where they actually bake and decorate their creations. Additionally, they take part in seminars or internships at approved businesses. Some of the creations they make include sugar and chocolate confections, miniature cakes, specialty desserts, artisan breads, icings and decorative frosting.
Step 4: Earn Certification
Although certification is not a requirement to work in cake decorating and pastry arts, it's a way graduates can demonstrate their education, experience and credentials to potential employers or customers. Various certifications are offered through the Retail Bakers of America and the American Culinary Federation. Examples of certifications include Certified Pastry Culinarian, Certified Working Pastry Chef, Certified Journey Baker, Certified Decorator and Certified Baker.
Step 5: Find Employment
In addition to learning to decorate cakes, graduates of culinary arts programs are qualified for entry-level positions in many food industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2013, the median salary for bakers, including cake decorators, was $23,160 per year, with the bottom ten percent earning less than $18,000 and the top-paid ten percent bringing in over $37,000. Salaries vary somewhat by position and location.
Source: study.com
Careers in cake decorating and pastry arts require little to no formal education. Learn about the training, job duties and optional certification for bakers to see if this is the right career for you.
Essential Information
Individuals who enjoy baking and decorating cakes and pastries may find careers as cake decorators rewarding and fun. Cake decorators are specialized bakers. Culinary programs for aspiring cake decorators teach students how to blend colors and create shapes and figures. Aside from attending a culinary or technical school, bakers can be trained through apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Some certifications are also available in this field.
Step 1: Consider a Cake Decorating and Pastry Arts Career
Cake decorating is a hands-on industry. Possible positions for those interested in cake decorating and pastry arts may include pastry artisan, bakery owner, cake designer and caterer. A culinary degree in cake decorating provides students with the skills needed to open their own bakery or cake decorating shop, with apprenticeships available to help them obtain the knowledge they need to get started.
Step 2: Decide on a Training Program
Individuals interested in learning the art of cake decorating and creating pastry have several academic options, from courses and diploma programs to certificate and degree programs. Diploma and certificate programs often take one year to complete, while associate's degree programs usually require two years of theoretical study and practice. Students develop culinary skills that qualify them for employment at bakeries and specialty shops, as well as working on their own.
Step 3: Take Courses
In addition to cake decorating and pastry arts courses, participants learn about safety, sanitation, nutrition and business. While students take courses, a majority of the program entails hands-on learning where they actually bake and decorate their creations. Additionally, they take part in seminars or internships at approved businesses. Some of the creations they make include sugar and chocolate confections, miniature cakes, specialty desserts, artisan breads, icings and decorative frosting.
Step 4: Earn Certification
Although certification is not a requirement to work in cake decorating and pastry arts, it's a way graduates can demonstrate their education, experience and credentials to potential employers or customers. Various certifications are offered through the Retail Bakers of America and the American Culinary Federation. Examples of certifications include Certified Pastry Culinarian, Certified Working Pastry Chef, Certified Journey Baker, Certified Decorator and Certified Baker.
Step 5: Find Employment
In addition to learning to decorate cakes, graduates of culinary arts programs are qualified for entry-level positions in many food industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2013, the median salary for bakers, including cake decorators, was $23,160 per year, with the bottom ten percent earning less than $18,000 and the top-paid ten percent bringing in over $37,000. Salaries vary somewhat by position and location.
Source: study.com
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