The Breads & Pastry Arts Certificate Program provides students with the professional knowledge and hands-on skills needed to succeed in today’s growing baking and pastry industry.

Throughout this immersive program, students learn the foundations of baking, including food safety, ingredient functions, and the science behind gluten development and leavening. As the course progresses, students develop advanced skills in preparing breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, fillings, and frostings while exploring both classic and contemporary dessert techniques.

Students also gain experience adapting recipes for special diets, preserving fruits, and understanding nutritional considerations in modern baking. The program concludes with training in professional pastry presentation and exposure to international baking traditions, helping students build versatility and creativity in the kitchen.

The program culminates in a final practical examination, where students demonstrate their skills through individually plated desserts and a collaborative pastry display.

Upon successful completion, graduates receive a Certificate in Breads & Pastry Arts. The program is accredited by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).