Pastry Chef
What you'd actually do
The work is preparing and baking a range of sweet and sometimes savoury items, decorating and finishing them, following recipes exactly and keeping the section clean and organised. Precision matters more than in most cooking, since baking is exact, and creativity, speed and stamina count during busy service or early-morning bakes.
Hours often include very early starts, evenings and weekends, the kitchen is hot and the work physically demanding, and pay commonly starts modestly and rises with skill and reputation. It is a craft that rewards patience and an eye for detail, and skilled pastry chefs are in demand.
Many pastry chefs train through a college catering course or an apprenticeship, then build skill working in kitchens. Following food hygiene rules is essential, and experience can lead to head pastry chef roles or running your own bakery.