Do you enjoy watching bake-offs in your spare time? Perhaps even channelled your own Anna Olsen by experimenting in the kitchen and whipping up crème brulées and cannolis?

If baking is where your heart is, then a baking and pastry arts course may just fit the bill for you. With this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about studying baking and pastry courses in Malaysia including what you’ll learn, what careers you can pursue and which institutions are the best for this course.

#1. The Basics of Baking and Pastry Arts

a) What is Baking and Pastry Arts?

Baking and pastry arts involve the professional preparation of pastries, cakes and other baked goods.

A specialisation under the field of culinary arts, it requires you to not only be technically skilled but also possess artistic finesse in order to produce both delicious and exquisite baked goods.

By studying a course on baking and pastry arts, you’ll cover the fundamentals of baking before diving into the creation of various baked goods. Depending on the institution, this could include bread, cakes, chocolate, petit fours (tiny pastries), glacier (ice cream, sorbet, yoghurts), Malaysian desserts and sugar decoration.

Patisserie isn’t the only craft you’ll be mastering. You’ll also touch on the business aspects such as accounting, principles of marketing and entrepreneurship in order to make you an all-rounder and potentially a business owner later on.

In essence, this course is designed to equip you with the personal and professional skills crucial to succeed in the culinary industry.

#2. Entry Requirements for Baking and Pastry Arts Courses

a) What are the subjects required to study Baking and Pastry Arts?

In general, there are no subject prerequisites for baking and pastry arts courses.

(i) Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts requirements

A Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts requires you to have at least 3 credits in any subject at SPM or equivalent.

You’ll cover the techniques of baking and pastry arts which allows you to enter the working world right away or continue to pursue a Baking and Pastry Arts Degree upon completing your diploma.

(ii) Baking and Pastry Arts Degree requirements

To pursue a Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, you need to complete a pre-university programme and meet the entry requirements:

• A Levels: Minimum of 2Es
• STPM: Minimum 2Cs
• Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 55
• Foundation in Arts: Minimum CGPA of 2.00
• Relevant Diploma: Minimum CGPA of 2.00

#3. Studying Baking and Pastry Arts in Malaysia

a) What subjects will you study in a Baking and Pastry course?

Baking and Pastry Arts is designed to prepare you to be creative, detail-oriented and entrepreneurial while mastering baking techniques.

You will first take introductory classes that will introduce you to basic baking components and techniques. As you progress with your studies, you will gain in-depth knowledge and obtain the practical skills needed to make complex confectioneries and become a successful baker or pastry chef.

Here are some of the subjects you may cover throughout your Baking and Pastry Arts studies:

• Principles of Pastry and Baking
• Food Safety and Sanitation
• Chocolate and Confectionery
• Bread / Boulangerie
• Pastry and Dessert
• Cake Design and Decoration
• Sugar Decoration and Sculpting
• Sales and Marketing
• Entrepreneurship

As part of your diploma and degree, you’re also required to complete an internship or industrial attachment where you’ll be working in the patisserie industry to hone your skills.

b) How long is a Baking and Pastry Arts course? 

A Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts that's accredited by MQA is usually 2 to 2.5 years long. For other international certificates and diplomas, the programme can be much shorter.

A Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts typically takes about 3 years to complete.

c) How much does it cost to study Baking and Pastry Arts in Malaysia? 

A Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts costs around RM25,000 to RM55,000 while a degree is approximately RM95,000.

#4. Your Education Pathway for Baking and Pastry Arts

Upon the completion of your SPM qualification or equivalent, you can enrol into a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts. As a diploma graduate, you can either go straight into the workforce to gain work experience or continue on with a Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts

Alternatively, you can also opt for a pre-university (STPM, A Levels, etc.) or Foundation in Arts programme, which will enable you to progress into a Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts upon completion.

#5. Should You Study Baking and Pastry Arts?

(a) Is Baking and Pastry Arts right for you?

The Baking and Pastry Arts course is ideal to prepare you to become a master of patisserie. If you’re wondering whether you should pursue this programme, here are some questions to think about:

• Do you consider yourself a detailed oriented person with creative skills?
• Do you enjoy the process and art of creating something sweet and savoury?
• Are you always experimenting with new recipes?
• Do you consider yourself a multitasker?
• Do you enjoy working hands-on in a fast-paced environment?
• Will you be comfortable working long, and sometimes odd, hours?
• Do you have aspirations of being an entrepreneur?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, this creative course may be right for you!

(b) Skills required to pursue Baking and Pastry Arts

Here are some key skills you should have to be an accomplished pastry chef:

• Patience as you prepare and wait for desserts and pastries to bake or set
• Precision and attention to detail to ensure high and consistent standards
• Creativity to come up with fresh and unique recipes
• Ability to multitask and work on a number of components at the same time
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently
• Perseverance as you’ll be working long and odd hours

#6. Jobs You Can Get with a Baking and Pastry Arts Qualification

With a baking and pastry arts qualification, you can seek employment opportunities in a range of industries, including hotels, restaurants, airlines and event companies. This field of study also provides you with opportunities to be an entrepreneur, as well as other food-related career options.

Here are some careers you can pursue with a Baking and Pastry Arts qualification:

• Pastry Chef
• Cake Decorator and Designer 
• Chef Patisserie
• Sugar Artist
• Chocolatier
• Glacier Chef
• F&B Entrepreneur
• Pastry Product Development Manager
• Pastry Arts Lecturer

#7. Best Institutions for Baking and Pastry Arts in Malaysia

If baking is your cup of tea, then check out some of the best institutions for Baking and Pastry Arts in Malaysia.