Whether you’re harboring dreams of working as a professional pastry chef or simply wish you had the requisite skills to turn out expert-level desserts and baked goods for your family and friends, there’s no denying the fact that perfect pastries demand attention to detail and plenty of know-how to pull off properly. It wasn’t so long ago that aspiring pastry chefs only had two real options for becoming a pastry expert, which were to either attend culinary school to hone their skills or apprentice under an accomplished chef. These days, the global network created by the Internet and, more specifically, the blogosphere, allows pastry lovers unprecedented access to the carefully-guarded secrets of master chefs. The following 30 blogs are packed with useful information and recipes for aspiring pastry chefs at any skill level.
The Science of Baking
It’s often been said that cooking is an art, but baking is a science. This old adage holds up to scrutiny, as there is a very delicate balance of ingredients and technique required to turn out top-notch pastries. These five blog entries are dedicated to the scientific side of pastry making and can help you understand the basic chemistry behind baking.
- Baking and Baking Science
- Leavening Methods
- Baking Science
- High Altitude Baking Tips from a Colorado Pastry Chef
- Why We Use Unsalted Butter
Everyone has to start somewhere. Even the most accomplished, highly-skilled pastry chef was once a novice baker. These five recipes are great starting points for those with lofty goals and little experience, helping you learn core pastry-making techniques without overwhelming you with more advanced requirements.
- Pastry for Beginners
- Apple Turnovers
- Beginner’s Guide to Making Puff Pastry and Recipe for Fish Filling
- Pastry for Beginners from Bourke Street Bakery – The Ultimate Baking Companion
- The Beginner’s Guide to Making Shortcrust Pastry
Between the “absolute beginner” phase and reaching expert pastry chef levels lies the intermediate skill set. When you’ve progressed beyond the core skills and are ready to try your hand at more challenging pastries, these five recipes are great places to start.
- Almond Shortbread
- Cocoa Nib Florentines
- Pecan Linzer Cookies with Cherry Filling
- Recipe: Hamantaschen
- Maple Caramel Apple Tart
Congratulations! You’ve mastered the intermediate level and are ready to really get down and dirty with some complex pastry dishes. These five blog entries are chock-full of recipes that can help you test your level of accomplishment and learn more about pastries than ever before.
- Pointed Pinkies Only, Please: Petits Fours with Poured Fondant Icing
- Love is Patient Cake: Pomegranate/Key Lime Chiffon Puzzle Cake
- Dessert #2: Fig & Sesame Tart with Orange Cardamom Cream
- Beef Wellington: A New Old Tradition?
- Chocolate Napoleon
Sometimes you need recipes, and sometimes you just need general hints, tips and tricks for how to execute a pastry technique more effectively. These five blog entries offer those things in spades, ensuring that you’re well-equipped to handle anything a recipe throws your way.
- Pastry Tips & Tricks
- Pastry Chef’s Tips Will Make Your Baking Better
- A Pastry Trick
- Pieminister – Top 10 Pastry Making Tips
- 10 Pie Making Tips from a Professional Pastry Chef, and Her Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie Recipe
For weekend-warrior pastry chefs whose interests in the art don’t extend to professional aspirations, there are plenty of pointers and recipes to be found online. For those who are itching to break into the professional side of things, however, resources can be a bit more difficult to come by. These five links are filled with valuable resources and information for those with ambitions of breaking into the pastry business.
- Advice for the Aspiring Pastry Chef
- Becoming a Pastry Chef
- A Day in the Life of a Pastry Chef
- How to Become a Professional Pastry Chef
- So You Want to Be a Pastry Chef?
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