Baking & Pastry Arts

The Baking & Pastry Arts program prepares students for quick entry into the industry in a variety of positions, such as baking/pastry assistant, area pastry chef and assistant pastry chef. With experience, graduates can advance from entry-level positions to pastry chef, cake designer or bakery manager.

Employment opportunities include restaurants, hotels, independent bakeries and pastry shops, wholesale and retail markets and high-volume bakeries. The program also provides students with the skills and knowledge to start their own businesses.

• Classes are held at the Wake Tech Baking Kitchens, at 6750 Perry Creek Road in Raleigh.
• All courses are taught in an eight-week "mini-mester" format.
• Daytime and evening classes are available.
• 1:12 chef-to-student ratio

Anyone interested in learning more about the Baking & Pastry Arts program can attend an information session. The sessions start at 6 p.m. at Scott Northern Wake Campus, Building K, Room 155, and last about an hour.

Upcoming sessions are scheduled as follows:

• December 1
• January 5
• March 2
• April 6

For more information or advising for classes, contact Chef Eric Stopka at [email protected] or 919-532-5970 or Chef Caralyn House at [email protected] or 919-532-5969.

Virtual Tour   

In the news

• Aspiring Bakers Showcase Tasty Treats
• Icing on the Cake
• Award-Winning Creativity at Elite Baking Competition
• We Are Wake Tech Podcast: Baking & Pastry Arts and Culinary Arts

Accreditation and certification

Wake Tech's Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Graduates of ACF-accredited degree, diploma or certificate programs are eligible to receive a Certified Culinarian^® or Certified Pastry Cook certification. No fees or separate exams are required for the certifications. Graduates must provide a final transcript verifying graduation and documentation of ACF membership. Certificate/diploma graduates must also document one year of entry-level work experience to receive certification. Application and documentation must be submitted within one year of graduation.

Baking & Pastry Arts students have the option of becoming junior members of the North Carolina chapter of ACF, the largest professional association of chefs in the nation. Paid junior members automatically receive certification upon graduation. Regardless of membership status, they are welcome to attend monthly meetings. Check the chapter website for more information.

For questions about the ACF or the Triangle Chefs Association, contact Department Head Aaron Stumb at 919-866-5992 or [email protected].

Professional licensure

Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.