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Baking & Pastry Specialist

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CREATING YOUR OWN REAL-WORLD SUCCESS

Girl smiling holding a decorated cake
Chef wearing a mask dishing a dessert
Man stretching green dough

IOT’s Baking and Pastry Specialist (BPS) program prepares graduates for a broad range of entry points into the foodservice industry through a hands-on foundation of specialized skills in creating breads, cakes, specialty breads and desserts, chocolates, tarts, and torts.

Graduates who pass the appropriate ServSafe Exams will have met the American Culinary Federation Certification standards for Food Safety and Sanitation. IOT’s BPS curriculum is recognized as an American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Quality Program.

EXTERNSHIP

IOT enhances classroom instruction through a 160-hour externship in a wide range of kitchen settings in local restaurants, hotels, institutions, and/or clubs. Externships reinforce the BPS learning experience and prepare students for a real-world setting as students rotate through all production aspects of a professional kitchen.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY DEGREE?

You can become a pastry chef in a variety of work settings or pursue a variety of entry-level roles in this field, including the following:

  • Bakery chef
  •  Dessert specialist
  •  Catering specialist
  •  Institutional and cafeteria baker
  •  Gourmet specialty baker
Smiling woman in chef's uniform
“As a former student, this school definitely prepared me for my new role. They gave me so much experience. I would highly recommend anyone to this school. Not only was the education able to set me up for success, but I was also able to develop a great networking relationship with follow students and staff.” – Bernice

Why IOT?

We believe school should work for you, which is why our classes are:

  • Engaging
    Learn new skills and take control of your career through hands-on vocational training and real-world education that moves you forward.
  • Supportive
    We offer support with tutoring and instructors with many years of experience in the industry.
  • Convenient
    Fit school into your life with evening classes, accelerated programs, and hybrid learning that can be completed in as little as 9 months.
PROGRAM BENEFITS

IOT designs program schedules with your busy lifestyle in mind. You can take advantage of these benefits:
• 180-hour externship in an industry kitchen
• Preparation for ServSafe exams and American Culinary Certification standards for Safety and Sanitation, Supervisory Management, and Nutrition

HOURS OF INSTRUCTION/PROGRAM LENGTH

This program is 890 hours and 48 quarter credit hours.

See your admissions representative for available class times.

WEEKDAY PROGRAM

Classes are held Monday through Thursday for 40 weeks. At IOT Clovis and Modesto, morning classes are available from 7:30am to noon and night classes are available from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. An independent study component is included.

See your admissions representative for available class times.

CAREER SERVICES

Institute of Technology offers placement support and assistance to all graduates regardless of how long they have been out of school. If you are a recent graduate or graduated years ago, our Career Services Team is here to help you!

WHERE CAN I LEARN?

IOT offers this program at the following locations:

Clovis, California
Modesto, California

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the programs,
and other important information, visit https://www.iot.edu/about-us/disclosures/.

What Program Graduates Say

  • “Going to IOT was a very positive experience, the instructors were kind and helpful, everyday was fun learning something new! I love the variety of things we learned to create, and I made lots of new friends!”

    Megan Cook – BPS, Class of 2021

  • “IOT helped me grow and develop my skills in pastry and baking and experience what it would be like to work in the industry by learning from the talented chefs at IOT.”

    Jacquelyne Casillas – BPS, Class of 2021

  • “This program helped me get a real start in my career as a baker. I’m incredibly thankful to every chef I’ve had the honor of learning from there.”

    Sarah Noon – BPS, Class of 2021

ACCREDITATIONS

WHY ACCREDITATION IS IMPORTANT

Accreditation is the process of evaluating a school or educational training program to determine whether it meets standards set up by an accrediting organization. When you attend an accredited institution, you are attending a school that has undergone a rigorous process that evaluates educational quality. It’s not easy to become or remain an accredited institution. The rules and regulations are strict, precise and designed to protect students. Here are some of the benefits:

 A reliable indicator of quality
 Approved program of study
 Qualified instructors

Student stretching taffy
Culinary students putting together cakes
Bread and muffins on a cooling rack
Man in chef uniform rolling pastry