Working with food is a very rewarding career for people all over the world. Culinary degrees and completion of Pastry certificate programs can lead to endless job opportunities. Similar to many other career fields, the higher the degree the more plentiful opportunities and the higher the salary.

Pastry chefs must be proficient in many skills in order to be successful. They must be able to handle hard work and long hours. They must be able to interact well with other people and be able to satisfy their requests. They must possess a profound knowledge of ingredients and be able to combine them in a pleasant way. Pastry chefs need to be artistic and skillful. They have to have original ideas and be able to present in a visually pleasing manner. Rising each morning at three or four a.m. and baking for hours, before the average person wakes up. The profession demands dedication and perfection.

The up side is the intense satisfaction. Having the ability to create a mouth watering dessert from simple ingredients, being able to build a masterpiece too beautiful too eat, and having the gift of bringing joy to others are worth the time and effort each day.

What kind of jobs do these pastry skills offer? They offer a myriad of opportunities. Bakery work is an option. Making cupcakes, cookies, breads and confections to serve the general public. Many start out as an assistant, gaining skills and experience, and work their way up to pastry chef or owning their own store. Others work in restaurants of all types and sizes making delectable desserts. Hotels offer many possibilities. Catering events and filling room service requests around the clock. Resorts, cruise ships and private clubs all need pastry chefs to delight and satisfy their clients. Someone needs to slather those buffet tables with creamy, chocolate and sinfully delicious temptations. Last, but not least a chocolatier, someone who makes chocolates and sells them.

The sky is the limit as far as salary is concerned. The more experience you have and the higher the quality of your pastries, the more money you can earn. An enormous amount of money is spent each year in the food service industry and pastry chefs have every chance to earn their share. With a pastry certificate and some raw talent your career possibilities are endless.