This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Baker College adds baking, pastry program

Reality TV shows, Michigan law, entrepreneurism stir up interest

PORT HURON, Mich. – Baker College of Port Huron Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) is adding a new baking and pastry program this fall quarter. The new program will join the culinary arts and food and beverage management programs already offered by the CIM Port Huron, with classes beginning Monday, Sept. 29.

The baking and pastry program offers a certificate and associate degree. Graduates with a certificate will be prepared for a wide variety of positions such as assistant pastry chef; assistant, head and lead baker; wedding cake decorator and pastry chef. The associate program will train students for positions such as executive pastry chef and other bakery supervisory jobs.

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Adding the baking and pastry program to our curriculum will collectively provide CIM Port Huron students with the capabilities that resemble the services of a first-class hotel or resort,” said Thomas F. Recinella, CEC®, ACE, AAC®, CIM Port Huron program director and COURSES Restaurant executive chef.


“It will all come together at our student-run, teaching restaurant COURSES, which is located at the CIM Port Huron. This real-world experience, coupled with the job know-how acquired during the program’s one required internship, will help enable graduates to hit the ground running at their first job.”

Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoreswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Recinella has seen interest grow in all the culinary fields during the past few years, and especially in the areas of baking and pastry, for several reasons:

·      Reality TV shows, such as “Cupcake Wars” and “Cake Boss” can be inspiring and provide insight and education about the creative possibilities.

·      Michigan’s cottage food law makes it easy for small-scale food processors to “test the waters” without spending the money needed to establish or rent commercial kitchen space. 

·      Being one’s own boss in an entrepreneurial setting is enticing to some.

“Although it’s alluring to go into business for oneself, that typically comes later in a career,” Recinella said. “Our first student cohort is graduating in December and will enter the industry as lead cooks, sous chefs and shift chefs in a variety of organizations.”

The baking and pastry certificate program is designed to combine imagination and creativity with the science of baking. Through small class sizes, advanced learning technologies and specialized facilities, such as a climate-controlled kitchen laboratory, students will learn how to prepare breads, pies, cookies, petit fours, specialty breads and pastries, fruit bars, tortes, centerpieces, wedding cakes and international desserts.

The associate degree program includes training in the art and business of preparing baked goods, specialty sugars and chocolate confections. Students will learn the specialized knowledge and techniques used in professional baking and pastry outlets, including production of pastries, baked goods and specialty items. They will also learn about staff selection and training, purchasing, inventory control, item costing and overall bakeshop management.

The CIM Port Huron COURSES Restaurant, located at 2000 St. Clair Street, is open to the public for lunch while classes are in session. During summer quarter, it is


open through August 22, Wednesdays through Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., although the last reservation for seating is at 1:15 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 810.357.0875.

CIM Port Huron opened its two-story, 23,000-square-foot building last year. It offers unique, world-class facilities built specifically for the study of culinary arts. It supports the learning process through advanced technologies and its interior design: state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, as well as unobstructed views between classrooms to facilitate the open kitchen concept of European-style training and cooking.

For more information about the Baker College of Port Huron culinary arts program, contact Daniel Kenny in the admissions office at Daniel.Kenny@baker.edu, or 810.985.7000 or 888.262.2442.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.

###

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?