Are your dreams filled with culinary dessert creations that can make your mouth water? Or do you enjoy baking confectionery delights for friends and family? Then why not turn your thoughts and ideas into reality! Currently there are two pastry chef schools located in Montana in the cities of Kalispell and Missoula. But once you start your search, the hardest part isn’t going to be pursuing your dreams – it will be choosing one the Certificate or degree programs available.
If you have set long term goals, and want to become a true professional in the pastry arts – the best option will be to obtain an Associate’s degree while you are working or prior to finding employment in this industry. Why does this program give you an advantage, even with no experience? The fact is, mixing and baking of ingredients is a science. The wrong combination or ratio of basic ingredients and spices can impact not only the texture of the final dessert creation, but the taste as well. And there are other skills (such as artistic and administrative) that are essential to your success as a pastry chef in every step of your career path, from entry level to executive.
The program offered at Flathead Community College allows students to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in the Culinary Arts. While this does not cater specifically to the pastry niche of the culinary field, it includes essential coursework such as kitchen sanitation, catering, mixing and baking.
Another alternative is to attend the program offered at the University of Montana. Currently they have two different curriculum’s, one designed for students who desire to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Food Service Management or a short-term Culinary Arts Certificate option. The former choice consists of pastry chef courses that include nutrition, patisserie, baking and pastry and an included internship, which takes an average of two years (4 semesters) to complete. On the other hand students can choose the Certificate program, which is still challenging – despite its short duration. While this is a generalized option, it still includes a significant amount of hands on training with baking and pastry classes. Also, the credits earned during this program can be applied to the Associate of Applied Science in Food Service Management, as long as certain academic and financial criteria are met.
Students who graduate from either of these colleges will enter the market with the training and preparation needed to be successful at many of the entry level pastry chef jobs available today. In fact, getting a degree or certificate can give you and edge over your competition – even with no experience. So why not check out one of these programs today, and start on the career path of your dreams!
Montana Pastry Chef Schools
Kalispell
School Name: Flathead Valley Community College
Address: 77 Grandview Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901
Contact: (800) 313-3822
Website: http://www.fvcc.edu/
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Missoula
School Name: The University of Montana: College of Technology
Address: 909 South Avenue West, Missoula MT 59801
Contact: (800) 542-6882
Website: http://www.cte.umt.edu/
Culinary Arts Certificate
Associate of Applied Science in Food Service Management
