Entering the pastry arts profession in the field of the culinary arts requires not only strong baking skills, but creativity and administrative abilities as well. Because of the diversity this profession requires, most employers prefer applicants to have a degree or certification. But if you live in Minnesota, you will discover finding a specialized pastry arts school may be more challenging than it first appears.
However, there are more educational opportunities than attending a general culinary college. Currently, there are three options – with two locations in the major city of Minneapolis and one in St. Paul. But how do you know which is the best program for you?
Are you are searching for a college with a national reputation, high success rate and multiple campuses located across the United States? Then consider attending Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts or The Art Institutes International Minnesota. Both of these schools have national name recognition, and a proven track record of success. Also, they boast a small class size – ensuring a low student to teacher ratio, which means you will get individualized attention in the classroom and during hands-on training. But determining which option is right for you is a truly personal matter, but your decision should be based on tuition cost, financial aid and location. The only disadvantage some students find is the educational limitations, because they only offer certifications rather than full Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees.
St. Paul College also offers pastry chef courses for individuals who want to earn a Certification in this culinary niche. Consisting of only four courses, prospective students will not have to wait long to graduate or start their search for an entry level job in this career. But while this is a stepping stone, there is an option if you want to obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts. With a program that is fully accredited by American Culinary Federation Education Foundation’s Accrediting Commission (ACFEF), students will receive a diverse education consisting of basic skills and advanced techniques. Are you worried that this program isn’t focused enough? You can set your concerns aside, because students can expect to encounter challenging classes including commercial bakery production, cake decorating, and advanced cake and pastry.
Today, employers prefer candidates with formal education and training – even when it comes to filling entry level pastry chef jobs. So why not start your career the right way today, and check out one of these popular programs right now!
Minnesota Pastry Chef Schools
Minneapolis
School Name: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis/St. Paul
Address: 1315 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Contact: (888) 348-5222
Website: http://www.chefs.edu/Minneapolis-St-Paul
Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts
School Name: The Art Institutes International Minnesota
Address: 15 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402-3105
Contact: (800) 777-3643
Website: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/minneapolis/
Associate in Applied Science in Baking & Pastry Arts
Baking and Pastry Diploma
Saint Paul
School Name: Saint Paul College
Address: 235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Contact: (800) 227-6029
Website: http://www.saintpaul.edu/Pages/default.aspx
Baking and Decorating Certificate
Associate in Applied Science in Culinary Arts
