Department Chair: Dr. Pierre Laguerre
Department Secretary: Dolores Piro
Room: A-306
Phone: (201) 879-5003
Hotel Restaurant Management Coordinator: Ronda Drakeford
Hotel Restaurant Management Academic Advisor: John Bandman
Executive Pastry Chef: Tomer Zilkha
Our Mission
The mission of the baking and pastry arts program at Bergen Community College is to provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to succeed in the expanding baking and pastry arts industry. The certificate of achievement in baking introduces the student to hands-on quality baked products, which include yeast breads, puff pastry, quick breads, cakes, pies, as well as decorating techniques. Obtaining these skills, the student becomes eligible to work in various settings where high quality freshly baked products are prepared both small and large scale. Graduates are eligible for positions in retail, lodging, catering and in restaurants.
Career Paths
The certificate in baking and pastry arts is designed to provide students with the coursework and training needed to enter into the field as a baker or pastry chef. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to careers in hotel restaurant management including pastry chef, baker, chocolatier, cake designer, and other culinary arts positions. Students can take coursework and concentrated options in hospitality, culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, catering and event planning, and hospitality and lodging. Students can also consider entering the Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) in hotel and restaurant management, which is designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree in hotel restaurant management. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with Bergen Community College faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options.
Transfer Opportunities
Students pursuing the certificate in baking and pastry arts may consider transfer opportunities into other culinary arts, hospitality, or hotel and restaurant management majors. Students are encouraged to work closely with Bergen Community College faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer https://njtransfer.org.