If you like to bake, consider getting an education at a pastry chef school in New Jersey. A pastry chef is more than just a baker, however. A pastry chef at a restaurant is usually in charge of preparing and baking the breads, rolls and biscuits that are served with meals as well as handling all the desserts that are baked. Pastry chefs also work in bakeries, grocery stores, or as part of a catering team.
The state of New Jersey offers several certificate and degree programs for pastry chefs. The Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, in Mays Landing, NJ offers a two year Baking & Pastry degree program or a Specialization Certificate that takes two semesters to complete. For those interested in acquiring basic baking skills, there is a five month non-credit Culinary Arts career training program.
Brookdale Community College, located in Lincroft, NJ, has several options for pastry chef students. They offer a Culinary Arts Associate’s Degree program, a Culinary Arts Academic Credit Certificate, a Pastry Arts Academic Credit Certificate and a Culinary Arts Letter of Recognition. The Associate’s Degree program is 74 credit hours and requires two years to complete. Both Academic Credit Certificates require 33 credit hours. The Pastry Arts Academic Credit Certificate courses emphasize the skills needed to become a pastry chef.
Middlesex County College in Edison, NJ and Hudson County Community College in Jersey City both offer Culinary Arts certificates and certificates that focus on pastry arts. A 12 credit hour Baking Proficiency Certificate is offered at Hudson County Community College, and an 18 credit hour Pastry Arts Certificate can be obtained through successful completion of the required courses at Middlesex County College.
Mercer County Community College offers an Associate’s degree in Applied Science with an emphasis in Culinary Arts. Sixty-six credit hours are required to successfully complete the Associate’s in Applied Science degree program. Sixteen credit hours must concentrate on either Pastry Arts or Culinary Arts. Mercer County Community College is located in West Windsor, NJ.