The Salary of a Professional Pastry Chef
A professional pastry chef specializes in creating baked goods, specialty desserts and breads. Employed by upscale restaurants, cruise ships, corporations and private individuals, the professional pastry chefs have salaries that can vary by the employer and location. Education and experience also weigh heavily in the professional chef's salary. A professional pastry chef is creative, well skilled in recipe development and food safety.
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Education
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A professional pastry chef often has a bachelor's degree in baking and pastries, with several years of experience in a kitchen. Although an associate's degree in the field is available, a more extensive education also includes business classes, management skills and communication skills. More experience and greater education allow a professional pastry chef to demand a higher pay scale. Top professional pastry chefs, hired by casinos, can earn over $90,000 per year.
Location
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Professional pastry chefs located in New York can earn over $70,000 per year while the same chef living in Falls Church, Virginia, might earn less than $25,000 per year. The more exclusive the restaurant or hotel, the more the professional pastry chef can make. The benefits package varies with the employer and the contract between the company and the pastry chef.
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Culinary Skills
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Professional pastry chefs work in different places, from small bakeries in the grocery store to commercial cruise liners. The skills vary with each job. A pastry chef baking and decorating cakes in the local grocery or bakery may only earn $10 to $14 per hour. The professional pastry chef working on a cruise line averages a salary of $21,000 to $30,000 per year.
Functions
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Professional pastry chefs and top bakers may choose to hire themselves out for private parties and events. The duties include creating a dessert menu which compliments the dinner and overseeing the preparation. Other duties include proper food handling and storage. A professional pastry chef may have an assistant when servicing a private affair. The salary is determined by negotiations between the pastry chef and the client and may be priced by the number of desserts created.
Competitive Pastry Chefs
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There are competitive pastry competitions worldwide, where professional pastry chefs create spectacular desserts, cakes and pastries. The winners are awarded recognititon and prestige and a share of the prize money, which can exceed $50,000.
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References
Resources
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