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A Good Patissier Will Roll in the Dough

by Kirk Bangstad
kirk.bangstad@culinaryartsschoolreview.com
Culinary Arts School Review Columnist

One of the more creative culinary jobs in existence is that of a patissier. A patissier is a master of the art of baking, specializing in cakes and pastries. A good patissier knows how to create themed desserts out of ingredients as varied as sponge cake, almond paste, and Grand Marnier. Those who specialize in cakes can create desserts that look like blue gift boxes, or cakes that look like mountains of cascading flowers. Creativity and a sweet tooth are great traits for those considering a career as a patissier.

A Patissier’s Chef Education

A patissier goes to school to learn how to make baking an art form. The art of pastry-making concentrates on pleasing both the eye and the mouth. A good patissier will not only know how to blend ingredients to make a proper taste and texture, but will also know how to make a pastry look attractive and appetizing. To learn this type of aesthetic skill, you’ll probably need to go to a culinary school. Some culinary schools offer chef education programs primarily in baking, while other culinary schools incorporate baking into their overall chef education curricula.

After Culinary School

The ultimate goals for those with baking chef educations vary. Some open their own bakeries or patisseries, and hope that news of their creations spreads and brings people in their shops from far and wide. Others like the challenge of baking in fine dining restaurants, where dessert courses need to be presented in a highly detailed fashion. With the proper patissier chef education, both of these options will be available to you.

Sources

Baking Q&A

About the Author

Kirk Bangstad is a singer living in Chicago, IL. Having received his B.A. in Government at Harvard, Kirk previously worked as a management consultant.

Posted on May 22, 2006 at 11:29 AM