Baking and Pastry Arts (A.A.S.)

After graduation, you could work in bakeries, restaurants, hotels, pastry shops, food trucks and wholesale or retail baking operations.

Enrollment is limited due to kitchen space and instructor availability. Cohorts are capped to support hands‑on learning.

To join the waitlist, please attend a mandatory informational session and email the Baking and Pastry Arts program team. Tessia.harman@cpcc.edu or sandy.birmingham@cpcc.edu

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and meet program requirements each semester.

All baking and pastry arts students are required to purchase new uniforms and at the Central Piedmont campus store. Prices for each item vary by size. Since names are embroidered on the uniforms, there is a minimum four-week lead time to order uniforms. Financial aid recipients should communicate with the financial aid office regarding the purchase of required uniform and tools. All students are expected to be in uniform on the first day of lab class.

Uniform

• 2 Central Piedmont Chef’s coats
• 2 pants professional chef’s pants, black and white check non-slip shoes, black
• 2 bib aprons, white or black socks, black preferred
• 2 hats skull cap, white (bandanas or other head coverings may not be worn)

Other supplies

• Baking and Pastry Arts Tool Kit (specifically designed for our program)
• Calculator, analog
• Digital scale, 11-pound weight capacity minimum
• Painter’s tape

Uniform and personal appearance standards

• All uniforms and accessories must be clean and well-maintained.
• Black, closed-toe, leather, slip resistant, low-heeled shoes.
• If a t-shirt is worn under the jacket, it must be a solid color.
• Pants must fit well, be of acceptable length, and cannot be tattered or torn.
• Makeup should be moderate and natural and give a fresh, wholesome appearance.
• All students are required to bathe daily.
• Jewelry policy - to maintain proper food safety and sanitation standards, jewelry must be kept to a minimum in all culinary labs and food preparation areas.
  • Allowed jewelry:
    • One plain metal wedding band
    • Permanent stud face/earrings only, with no more than four (4) total pieces above the shoulders
    • Stud jewelry must be 8 mm or smaller
  • Now allowed jewelry:
    • Hoop or dangling jewelry
    • Necklaces worn outside clothing
    • Bracelets or anklets
    • Rings with stones or decorative features
    • Watches during food preparation
• Hair should be clean, conservative, well-groomed, and neat. Mustaches and beards are allowed if neatly trimmed. Hair longer than shoulder length must be braided or tied back. No extreme styles or ornamentation.
• No perfume or cologne may be worn.
• Fingernails should be clean not extend beyond the fingertip. No nail polish or false nails may be worn.

Attire required by a student’s religion will be accommodated if and to the extent accommodation can be accomplished consistent with the interests of Central Piedmont and in maintaining appropriate standards of health and safety. Requests for accommodation of religious attire must be submitted in writing to the program chair. No deviation from the lab dress will be permitted unless and until the request for recommendation is granted.

Review the uniform policy.