Confectioners and pastry cooks make, present and decorate delicious creations like cakes, pastries, biscuits, chocolates and sugar confections.
Confectioners and pastry cooks make, present and decorate delicious creations like cakes, pastries, biscuits, chocolates and sugar confections.
The confectionery market globally is worth approximately $120 billion (Datamonitor 2009) and demand for handmade, luxury products is growing. Skilled confectioners craft chocolate, flour, sugar, eggs and butter into beautiful and tasty pieces of art.
To succeed in this career, a confectioner and pastry cook needs creativity and initiative. Technical skills, the ability to work economically and an understanding of food and ingredients are also essential in this competitive sector.
Fast Facts
The global confectionery market is worth approximately $120 billion and demand for handmade, luxury products is growing.
Source: Datamonitor 2009
In 1847, Joseph Fry invented the first chocolate bar designed specifically to eat rather than as drinking chocolate.
Source: Cadbury
Jamie Oliver started out as a pastry chef after he completed a vocational cooking course, he now owns Jamie Oliver Holding, and is worth a reported £106m.
Source: City & Guilds Vocational Rich List 2011
Featured Competitor
Alistair Birt
Nation: United Kingdom
Competition: 2009
Skill: Confectioner / Pastry Chef
What made you get involved in competitions?
I saw great opportunities and pursued them to improve my skills.
Have a Go at WorldSkills London 2011
Interested in this skill? We're running loads of have a Go activities at WorldSkills London 2011 where you can try out new skills.
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Results
 Gold Medal |
 Silver Medal |
 Bronze Medal |
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