How to Become a Baking and Pastry Chef in New Hampshire
Baking breads, cakes, cookies, pies and other baked goods can be fun and rewarding. If this is something you enjoy, consider pursuing a career as a baking and pastry chef in New Hampshire. When you work in this role, you’ll have additional responsibilities besides being a baker. You’ll be considered a type of head chef, and you may also supervise staff, create recipes, manage inventory and order supplies.
Requirements for New Hampshire Pastry Chefs
In most settings, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, and this is also required before you can enroll in most formal culinary training programs in New Hampshire. You may be able to learn a lot of skills through on-the-job training and working with an experienced pastry chef. Postsecondary training isn’t required but can enhance your knowledge and expertise, and can also make you more appealing to potential employers.
New Hampshire Training Programs for Pastry Chefs
Vocational schools, community colleges and culinary schools are examples of places that offer formal training in this field. Besides learning basic and advanced preparation and decoration of baked goods, you’ll learn management and administrative skills. Some programs that are available that can prepare you to work in this field in New Hampshire include:
- Lakes Region Community College. This community college in Laconia, NH, offers a two-year degree in Pastry Arts. Students learn both pastry and management skills, including fundamental baking techniques and using a variety of kitchen equipment as well as advanced pastry techniques including regional and ethic desserts and pastries within the U.S. and internationally.
- White Mountains Community College. Located in Berlin, NH, this college offers an Associate in Science degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. This two-year program includes over 250 hours of lab work per semester and externships all around New England at approved sites. Students learn baking theory and management and obtain a thorough understanding of how hotels and restaurants operate.
Certification or Licensing Requirements for Pastry Chefs in New Hampshire
You won’t need a formal license or certification to work as a pastry chef in New Hampshire. The American Culinary Federation offers several certifications, which are completely optional and can be attained by passing both written and practical exams. If you do obtain this certification, it provides proof of your expertise and dedication to the field.
Salary Potential and Job Outlook for New Hampshire Baking and Pastry Chefs
Head chefs such as pastry chefs earned a median wage of $48,460 as of May 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Your actual income can vary based on your location and the type of business you work for. In New Hampshire, the average pastry chef earned $54,551 as of November 2019 according to Salary.com, with the range of earnings falling between $47,240 and $77,728.
CareerOneStop estimates job growth for head chefs in New Hampshire to be approximately 10 percent between 2016 and 2026, just slightly below the expected national growth of 11 percent between 2018 and 2028.
Work Environment for Baking and Pastry Chefs in New Hampshire
You’ll never be bored working as a New Hampshire pastry chef. It’s a face-paced job that allows you to express your creative side and continually try new things. You might have to stand on your feet for long periods of time, and you’ll probably work early mornings as well as nights and weekends.
There are many settings where you’ll find opportunities in this field in New Hampshire, especially in more populated areas such as Manchester, Nashua and Concord. Businesses such as hospitals, healthcare facilities, restaurants, cafes and bakeries are some of the many places where you’ll be able to use your skills. You may also want to use what you’ve learned to eventually become an entrepreneur and open your own baking-related business.