Baking and Pastry

Do you see yourself opening a bakery or café where you design and create stylish cakes or artisan breads and sweets? Will you be preparing fine desserts for catered events in one of the best venues?

Interested in this program?

Why should I choose this program?

Begin your journey or energize your career with a Baking and Pastry credential from HFC and get on track to make the chocolates, confections, pastry, cakes, and breads that delight customers. As a pastry cook, pastry chef, or executive pastry chef, you have the opportunity to use your energy, attention to detail and artistry in places like hotels, restaurants, bistros, bakeries, resorts and catering venues.

Begin today with a skills certificate and Serv-Safe food safety certification, complete an American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF)-accredited associate degree and Certified Pastry Culinarian certification and then finish with the Bachelor of Science degree, all at HFC without the hassle of transfer, loss of credits, travel or paid parking associated with other more costly education and training options.

What skills will I learn and improve?

Students preparing baked goods with pastry chef Keith Davis II
  • Create artisan breads, desserts, pastries, chocolates and confections in our production-based, hands-on classes starting in your first semester;
  • Learn the basics of cooking, nutrition, menu development, food safety and cost control;
  • Develop business and communications skills by participating in the operations of a full-service restaurant, quick service café and campus catering operations;
  • Prepare breads, plated desserts, chocolates and confections for the Fifty-One-O-One student-run restaurant, Culinary Wellness cafe and special events; and
  • Gain on-the-job experience and put your knowledge into action with a paid internship at one of many local employers including gourmet markets, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and catering venues.

What are my career opportunities?

Median Salary

  • Pastry cook
  • Pastry chef
  • Executive pastry chef

Program features and benefits

  • State of the art teaching kitchens

    We have a new, climate-controlled kitchen for cakes, pastry, chocolate and confection work.

  • Programs are ACF Accredited

    Our culinary arts programs are all fully accredited through the American Culinary Federation.

  • HFC Baking Club

    The Baking Club provides the opportunity to learn about careers in baking and pastry arts. Here you'll participate in community events to refine and improve your skills and self-confidence.

Stack Your Certificates & Degrees

ACF and ACFEFAC accreditation logos

Faculty

Lists the faculty associated with this program and their contact information.

FT Faculty - Hospitality
epgackenbach@hfcc.edu
313-317-1572
FT Faculty - Hospitality
jclick@hfcc.edu
313-845-9651
FT Faculty - Hospitality
jecosenza@hfcc.edu
313-317-4117
FT Faculty - Hospitality
lmmitruska@hfcc.edu
313-317-6533