Food artists can unleash their creativity through the Baking and Pastry Arts program. Baking and pastry arts courses cover cake decorating techniques, breads, fine desserts and nutrition to courses in management, purchasing and marketing. Specialty and alternative baking prepares students to create desserts to meet dietary needs.
The degree features courses that build on the foundations of basic baking and continue to the most advanced pastry techniques. Students work in a fully equipped commercial bake shop and learn from highly skilled instructors. The bake shops consist of 16 learning stations with a cap of 16 students per class.
From theory to practice, expert chefs including a master baker, guide you to develop your skills in baking and pastry. Students learn to make dough-based products from bagels to brioche and baguettes to pizzas and practice essential techniques like creating simple truffles to fine desserts and cakes.
Advanced decorating is included, as well as use of the specialized chocolate lab for higher level techniques. Advanced levels provide desserts for the Wheat Café, Waterleaf restaurant and Culinary Market for the enjoyment of the community.
Determine Your Path
Graduates of the Baking and Pastry Arts program find themselves working as chefs, head cooks and bakers.
You want to attend a college that stands out from the rest. At COD, you'll discover:
- Dedicated instructors with years of practical industry and teaching experience.
- State-of-the-art instructional kitchens with individual stations including a a chocolate room and a culinary amphitheater.
- Flexible course schedules with day, evening and weekend classes.
- Small class sizes that ensure students receive personalized attention.
- Affordable programs to help students achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining a savings account.
- An articulated transfer program with several prestigious institutions.
- Accreditation from the Education Foundation of the American Culinary Federation, making COD one of the few schools in the nation to have accreditation for both food service administration and culinary arts
Baking and Pastry Arts, Associate in Applied Science
The Baking and Pastry Arts, Associate in Applied Science degree program provides fundamental skills in baking and pastry arts. The degree consists of a minimum of 64 credit hours in program requirements and general education.
Baking and Pastry Arts
The Baking and Pastry Arts, Certificate program provides fundamental skills in baking and pastry arts. Students are employable in hospitality industry in the areas of baking and pastry. This certificate requires 28 credits and allows students to enter into the job force quickly.
COD Stories
“COD provided a great education for both culinary and pastry. The small class sizes allowed me to receive hands-on training, which was instrumental in preparing me to work in the baking industry.” - Meghan Fiene
Meghan's COD StoryCOD Stories
“I was able to learn so many tricks of the trade, kitchen culture, teamwork, skills, techniques and discipline I would not have otherwise learned.” - Erin Martin
Erin's COD StoryCOD Stories
“Taking classes at COD helped me to save money while still getting a fantastic education. I have learned so much in so many aspects of my life and am very grateful.” - Rachel Cuzzone
Rachel's COD StoryCOD Stories
"“The program at COD was great in preparing me for work in a commercial kitchen environment.” - Maria Kozi
Maria's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in baking and pastry arts is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
College of DuPage has several culinary arts transfer agreements in place with four-year colleges and universities to save you time, money and make the transfer process easier.
Many of these agreements with other colleges and universities have specific course requirements and a pre-determined course plan that needs to be followed to be eligible to transfer. Contact a program faculty member or academic advisor to learn more as course requirements vary by institution.
Make a Career Out of Your Passion
Evelyn Kourliouros previously graduated from a four-year institution, but she wasn't feeling fulfilled in her current career. Hear how her life changed after she decided to attend COD.
Career Information
Explore careers based on your interest, location and salary range or view top occupations by income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the Culinary Arts program.
Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts program pay the current tuition rate. Textbooks for classes cost approximately $75. If you are in a laboratory class, you will need to purchase tools and a uniform and pay a laboratory fee. Scholarships are available throughout the school year.
Students who are enrolled in any culinary, pastry or management laboratory classes will need to purchase uniforms as part of the class requirements.
- Culinary Students: knife kit, checked pants, embroidered chef coat, skull cap, bib apron, and two side towels
- Pastry Students: checked pants, embroidered chef coat, skull cap, bib apron, and two side towels
- Hospitality Students: black pants, white shirt with embroidered Waterleaf logo, black bistro apron
Uniforms and hand tools must be purchased through COD to ensure a consistent experience for students.
A few things to note:
- Uniforms and supplies are included in the lab fees for their respective class and will be ordered in class on the first day. Incoming students will receive an email outlining the procedure.
- While not included in the packages, appropriate shoes are required. Shoes should be sturdy, black, closed toed, and have a non-slip sole. Brands such as Sketchers work shoes and Shoes for Crews are acceptable options. No gym shoes are allowed.
If you have questions on uniforms, contact Associate Professor David Kramer at kramerd@cod.edu or (630) 942-2868 or Culinary Market and Lab Coordinator Laura Lerdal at lerdal@cod.edu or (630) 942-2359.
Culinary Classes
- Appropriate shoes are required. Shoes should be sturdy, black, closed toed, and have a non-slip sole. Brands such as Sketchers work shoes, Shoes for Crews, and Dansko clogs are all acceptable options. No gym shoes.
- College-issued black and white checked pants, hemmed, cleaned and pressed.
- College-issued white apron.
- College-issued white skull cap
- Two side towels.
- College-issued long sleeve chef coat with name and program insignia.
Restaurant Service and Sales Classes
- Appropriate shoes are required. Shoes should be sturdy, black, closed toed, and have a non-slip sole. Brands such as Sketchers work shoes, Shoes for Crews, and Dansko clogs are all acceptable options. No gym shoes.
- Cleaned, pressed, college-issued white dress shirts with embroidered Waterleaf logo.
- Cleaned, pressed black dress pants.
Culinary and hospitality classes are held in the Culinary and Hospitality Center located on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn. The College is located about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago.
There is no on-campus housing at COD. Contact Student Life at (630) 942-2243 for further information on housing.
