How much do Pastry Chefs make? Hours? & more | Pastry Chef Career Advice Q&A | By Andreja

[@Pauahi4]

thank you for this!! 🥺 i’m 23 and have been working on my career as merchandiser/store designer for 5 years now, but i’m finding i have a bigger passion for food and a dream to open my own bakery, but i’m scared of not making enough money or having time for a family etc… still not sure what to do :/

[@andreja_elena]

It's a really hard decision to make! You could definitely get to a point where you have a staff running your bakery and you are overseeing it. It will take a lot of work to get there but it's doable. You're still young so by the time you decide to have a family it could work out! Good luck to you!

[@Geo_Babe]

LOVE this video, thank you so much! Could you may do a day in the life of a baker/pastry chef?

[@andreja_elena]

Thanks for watching Anne! I am no longer working in the industry so unfortunately i wouldn't be able to show a day in the life, but i certainly could describe a typical day when i worked at a restaurant and in catering (since they are pretty different). would you be interested in that type of video?

[@Geo_Babe]

@@andreja_elena oh yes ma’am! So sorry, you’ve mentioned multiple times that you are no longer working in the same capacity under this title... so yes, maybe more so “what a day in the life would have been”.... sort of thing! I also have another question, which youve briefly touched on on the other video, but perhaps a little more in depth pros and cons of going to school for this vs. starting position / entry level jobs where you learn “ on the job”

[@tmc1373]

Could you go directly from culinary school to starting your own business WITHOUT working in a restaurant? Working in a restaurant sounds scary, especially the schedule.

[@andreja_elena]

Yes I think you could definitely go from culinary school to starting your own business. Working in restaurants is great experience but it's unnecessary if you plan to have a catering business for example. Yes working in restaurants can be scary and it is a huge time commitment, but it is also fun at times (I know I talk more about the negatives!). I know of many people who run successfull businesses without even going to culinary school as well, by using social media and good business sense!

[@mrahua]

You should be working at least 5 years after culinary school to refine your taste, skills and understand how different pastry chefs approach production, busy times, schedules, inventory rotation etc. Usually starting a business after culinary school doesn't make any sense if you don't have a solid working base, remember the first year you'll be more or less cleaning and doing very easy things when working, then it depends how fast you are at learning and how often you change workplace.

[@frenchyalicea649]

Question is: do you have a location, equipment, funds for equipment (NSF certified), funds for inventory, a current business and funds for marketing or signage for a storefront? Those are the minimum things that need to comfortably be covered to even consider starting a business (brick and mortar). Home based requires verifying that home base is allowable in your state/city and still requires alot of time and samples invested and out of pocketed to get the ball rolling and start building online reputation, reviews and even orders.

[@prathikshaachari3094]

Can I go to culinary school, learn and sell my baked products at the same time ? And also vlog about baking?

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Prathiksa! I think you could absolutely do both at the same time if you feel confident in your work and could manage your time to both. I think vlogging while going to culinary school and baking at home would be really interesting. I really regret not embracing social media back when I was in school, there would have been so much to document and I'm sure would have been really useful to people considering this career path! I had quite a bit of free time when I was in school so I think you could do it! Good luck!

[@prathikshaachari3094]

Thank you!

[@jaibmallick6129]

thank you so much , lots of love from india .

[@politicalcartoonist]

I need to see some pastry!!!

[@FrancesTheFreeOne]

This might be a weird question but did you actually injoy being a pastry chef? I fell in love with baking when I was 8. I'm 16 now and starting my own little baking business from my house. I've only sold 2 cakes so far and the whole time I was baking those I was so nervous that they wouldn't like it or it would make them sick some how. So now I'm kind of scared that trying to make baking my career will make me hate it

[@gacha.annamation]

Hello! Also a 16 year old here! First of all to me it sounds very impressive that you've been able to sell 2 cakes, GOOD JOB!!! Personally, to me it doesn't sound like you'll hate it being your career, but I do think you have to work on your self esteem a bit. Don't be so hard on yourself! I believe everything will fall into place :)

[@FrancesTheFreeOne]

@gacha.annamation Oh wow! I had forgotten I'd written that comment. Time for a little update I guess, I've sold about 6 cakes now and about $80 in cookies at a farmers market. I also Landed a job as an Independent contractor for sister Bagel and Catering companies. However, I don't really have enough time to try to make my baking business more well known as I'm in early college studying art and doing a big photography project. So, yeah I guess you could say things are falling into place already :) however, I still have not decided if I want to do baking as my actual career or go into photography or another medium of art. (Also thank you for your kind words.)

[@gacha.annamation]

@@FrancesTheFreeOne I'm so happy to hear that! Good luck on your studies and any future career you have! You seem like a very sweet person, wish you all the best!!!

[@duhxNatalie]

Would you recommend getting an Associates in Baking and pastry or a certificate? I'm thinking of try to also get an AS in Radiologic technology just in case I don't make enough for an independent life as a pastry chef or am unable to create my own business. This is why I would like to know which degree would be better.

[@andreja_elena]

Thanks for your question! From my experience, I am happy that I had a business degree to 'fall back on' when i realized that i wouldn't be able to continue with my pastry career for the long-term. I think it is a realistic approach to pursuing a career as a Pastry Chef since as I mentioned, it does not pay terribly well in most cases. However, I also have the 'Plan B only distracts from Plan A' mindset. If you are really passionate about becoming a Pastry Chef and can't see yourself being happy in any other career than i say go for it. Maybe ask yourself which degree would you regret not doing 5 years from now, maybe that can help you with your decision. I'm in Canada and so i'm not familiar with the difference between and Associate's Degree or Certificate specifically.

[@duhxNatalie]

@@andreja_elena Thank you for the reply. Hmm that is a good way to think of it. I’ll keep that in mind than. Oh ok, so a certificate is a skill and has less classes, it has basically only the baking courses and food safety courses. Where as the associates has those as well as some work experience courses and some on menu planning and other things.

[@Amit-os5iu]

I am from India and am planning to move to Canada to study baking and pastry arts. Do you think Canada is a good place for a pastry chef job? Also which college do you recommend? (I currently have applied to George Brown and Humber).

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Amit, those are the two schools that most attend for culinary school. There is also Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa, however I am not sure how it differs (I attended the one in Paris and loved it, but it may be an entirely different experience being in Canada). I think Canada is a good place for being a pastry chef, perhaps not the best compared to other cities, but not bad. Good luck!

[@romaryamelcherts852]

Thank you for this video. My dream is to bake, but how do you schedule the hours if you have children?

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Romarya, thanks for watching! I honestly think it is very hard to work as a Pastry Chef with children, like with any other demanding job, BUT, it can be done! I know many moms who own their own cake businesses and work from home. I think it would be impossible to work in a restaurant with little children, but running a business from home seems more realistic, especially if your children are going to daycare/school or you have someone that can help you with them while you work. All the best to you!

[@hoolthehunter]

I’m an aspiring pastry chef, but I have many aspirations in life that would take money to achieve, is it possible for me to be a pastry chef and also have a lot of money saved up?

[@조유진-m2u]

Hi Andreja. What is then internship like? Do you have to just complete hours or is there a final exam you have to do during the internship?

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Jinny, there is no exam after the internship. You have your final exams at school and then go on to do the internship but all you're expected to do there is work the required hours!

[@myriamkeita5775]

You said in a previous comment that you had a business degree to fall back on. So when did you decid that you wanted to be a pastry chef before or after having your degree? As would it be better to have my degree and if it's not working become pastry chef or do the opposite

[@andreja_elena]

I graduated from University and I did a minor in French, so I actually went to work in France for a year after graduating as a language assistant in a high school there. My degree was in business and it never felt right for me, but I still completed my degree even though I knew I didn't want to take a traditional job path in business. While I was living in France, I decided to follow my passion for baking so I began researching culinary schools and decided to go back to France to complete that. I think it is easier going from high school to University while you have momentum and then go to culinary school with the peace of mind of having a degree to fall back on. That's not to say that you couldn't do it the other way around, from my experience I am happy looking back that I did things the way I did. Hope that helps you with your decision!

[@SAIify]

Is age a barrier to join cardon bleu to learn pastry, i am 29.

[@andreja_elena]

Hi! No there is no age limit. There was a someone in their 60's in one of my classes when I attended.

[@belmarstv2278]

hi ,im mabel im a pastry chef from macao,i hope i can find work in canada too.thanks for this info.

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Mabel! You're welcome, best of luck!

[@alemracdiego8125]

Csn you work at age 50 still?curious i havent to training schl but started selling cakes before

[@praisyabraham8112]

Hi, Thanks for uploading these videos. They are of great help. I'm from India and I want to study and settle abroad. And I'm very confused about which Culinary school to go to for a course in bakery and pastry. Your suggestions would be really really helpful to me. Looking forward to your response ☺️

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Praisy! Thank you for watching, glad to hear you find my videos useful. Do you have a country in mind for where you would like to go? It must feel very overwhelming to decide that! I loved my experience in France, but there are many other countries in Europe that have great Pastry schools. Do you have a preference or are there a couple countries you are deciding between at this point?

[@praisyabraham8112]

@@andreja_elena Thanks for responding! ❤️ My preferred countries are Australia and France (as it's the hub of food). Also, I'm a little sceptical about LCB. Will it be worth that much money or are there some other schools that have good value as LCB?

[@shubhivats977]

@@praisyabraham8112 that’s exactly what I want to know!

[@kesone509]

this may seem like a dumb question but how skilled i suppose do you have to be to attend culinary school?? i love cooking and i would love to become a chef in the future but i have no technical skills if that makes sense and i fear not being prepared enough for culinary school

[@andreja_elena]

You don't need any prior experience or skills to go to culinary school! Every school teaches everyone right from the basics so that everyone is on a level playing field. If you want to prepare a little beforehand though, watch my other video for some tips (it's specifically for being a pastry chef, but it will still give you some insight!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6fJg4R-bdhmeJo

[@ennustaetae755]

Hii i am from india i am in 10th std actually i want to be a pastry chef and than later work in Cruises i will join culinary school and i want ask you than in that there are subject like commerce,science or arts and after completing my college i have to do course? 😅

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Evina, I'm not sure I fully understand your question. If you go to culinary school, then you will typically only learn the practical aspect of baking or cooking. Some culinary schools will offer management programs where you learn how to run a business in the food industry, but this is not required to work in a kitchen. I hope this helps!

[@ennustaetae755]

@@andreja_elena Thank you mam😊😊

[@jayentpratap4822]

Hi ma'am I'm really stressed about my future as a pastry chef considering the covid condition. I started baking when I was 8 year's old , is my future still bright considering the covid condition

[@carlolinger4797]

They taught me in culinary school that the culinary industry will never die out, people will always need food and want to go out for their dining experiences, which is still true. So follow your dreams and don't change your plans because of COVID, your future is bright.

[@andreja_elena]

I would agree with Carl. Things will definitely change moving forward, but people are not going to suddenly stop earing pastries or needing cakes for celebrations. I'm not sure how culinary school will be like going forward but everything adapts eventually. Good luck!

[@jayentpratap4822]

@@carlolinger4797 thank you 😁

[@jayentpratap4822]

@@andreja_elena thank you 😁

[@thediversedumpling9167]

Did you ever do other jobs? Also how is the baby doing? Hope you have a great day!

[@andreja_elena]

Hi Sephora, yes i had some retail jobs during University and I worked in a law office for some time. Baby is doing really well, she is growing way too fast :) Hope you are doing well!