Discover the Best Pastry Classes in Los Angeles
Ancient Egyptians invented pastries that have been part of the diet for millennia. Greeks and Romans used almonds, flour, honey, and seeds to make them during the classical period. With the introduction of sugar to European cooking, a new wave of pastries spread across the continent, with several major countries leading the charge. These include France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Today, most of the pastries we love come from one of these countries.
A pastry is made from flour, fat, and water baked as a base or covering. Several pastries are a primary baking form, including choux, filo, rough pastry, viennoiserie, puff pastry, hot water crust, and shortcrust, each originating in a different country. There are various techniques employed in the making of pastry. They all use flour, water, and fat as their basic ingredients. You can add additional ingredients if you want to create a unique taste.
With the popularity of pastry making in recent years, artisans are bringing old techniques back to their homes. You no longer have to settle for grocery store pastries when you can prepare them yourself at home.
Why You Should Learn to Make Pastries in Los Angeles
Hobbyists have learned several techniques to perfect pastries at home as the popularity of making pastries has grown over the last few years. During the pandemic, many people sought comfort in baking bread. In a time of stress, many people find relief in taking up a new hobby. Homemade pastries allow you to control the ingredients and add varying ingredients to create unique combinations. By making your pastries, you can maintain the nutritional value and save money while relieving stress and bringing the community together.
A homemade pastry tailored to your diet and preferences can be healthier for your body than one bought in a store. Those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease can use gluten-free flour, allowing you to enjoy the same pastries as everyone else without worrying if someone prepared them correctly. As far as fat is concerned, you are in full control. While shortening has historically been used as the most popular fat for pastries. In modern pastry cooking, vegetable or coconut oil creates healthier options.
You can find rich and helpful communities across social media for the type of pastries you want to make. Several groups are willing to take you in and teach you about baking, whether you are a professional or amateur baker. Making pastries may be a hobby for some or a way to build a community. It may be a profession for others. As a pastry chef, you can earn an average of between $35,000 and $60,000 annually in LA. Learning various pastry techniques can help you get the job you want. When searching for a job, you can find jobs in various settings, from small pastry shops and cafes to large corporations such as hotels and well-known restaurants.
In-Person Pastry Classes in Los Angeles
With an expert instructor, you can master baking techniques faster. Joining in-person courses is the best way to meet like-minded peers who share your passion for pastry.
Bijoux Macarons in Downtown LA offers classes where Vincent Guiheneuf shares his experience and style with the LA community. Students can take the French Baking course, where Chef Vincent will cover pastry choux, pastry cream, and how to make caramel chocolate glaze and caramel nests. Students will learn the fundamentals of French pastries. They will cover one recipe and show how to use it to make different pastries and desserts.
In Los Angeles, students can attend Cook LA Cooking School's French Pastries class. The school offers a hands-on cooking experience for any culinary needs. They even offer courses on planning and budgeting for any culinary scenario. They want to promote learning in a fun and engaging environment. Students will learn to make desserts from scratch in the French pastry class. The desserts included are eclairs, chocolate ganache, vanilla pastry cream, and truffles. Students will receive recipes to make each of these desserts.
At Los Angeles City College, students can take the Pastry Decorating course. Students will spend time learning the proper techniques to make the frosting. They will learn tips and tricks to decorate varying desserts. Students must bring their materials and ingredients to the class. Los Angeles City College aims to provide hands-on training to everyone in the community.
Virtual Pastry Classes
Taking pastry classes in person to learn new skills and meet like-minded people is great, but classes aren't always nearby. If you don't have to commute long, you will have more time to make pastries. When you take virtual pastry classes, you can take classes taught anywhere in the country without leaving your house. Virtual pastry classes can help you learn the ins and outs of pastries.
Taking an online class may require you to purchase supplies. You may need to plan since you may have to wait for supplies to arrive. You can receive a detailed supply list from your instructor and purchase all ingredients from your local grocery store. You may have to order some ingredients online if they are not readily available. Check out some of the online pastry classes offered by CourseHorse.
Virtual Croissant Making is a comprehensive banking course from Eve Bergazyn. Students will work through the entire process of folding, rolling, turning, and shaping croissants. Students must also gather their materials and ingredients when working in their kitchen. This virtual course meets in two sessions.
Home Cooking New York offers a Virtual Cream Puff Workshop. The course covers traditional techniques. It will include making pastry, pastry cream, and dark chocolate ganache.
Students who don't live in Chicago can still attend The Chopping Block for their online courses. One online class they offer is the Souffle Workshop. Students will learn the fundamental techniques of making souffle. They will select chocolate and follow along with the demonstration learning the techniques step by step.
Private Group Pastry Classes in Los Angeles
Are you looking for an activity to do with your friends or colleagues? You could celebrate a birthday or get together with a private pastry course. CourseHorse offers pastry courses for private groups either online or straight to you at any location.
You can learn to make the classic Swedish pastry in the Virtual Cinnamon Roll course. You will learn to make the yeast dough, fill the roll, slice, and bake the pastry. Throughout the course, the instructor will give your group tips and tricks to simplify the recipe and prepare the rolls in advance so that you aren't making everything the morning of to enjoy fresh breakfast pastries.
CourseHorse will ship the majority of the ingredients to you and your group. You will receive yeast, cinnamon powder, vanilla extract, sugar, gluten flour, brown sugar, and powdered sugar. For perishable ingredients, you will receive a gift card in the package, allowing you to pick up the eggs, butter, and cream cheese before the class begins. You can ask for a gluten-free option. You must inform CourseHorse which participants want gluten-free, and they will send a gift card to purchase gluten-free flour.
You will need additional materials for the course. These materials include a large bowl and spoon or stand mixer, fork or whisk, cookie sheet, plastic wrap, brownie or cake pan, rolling pin, and spatula. Some of these materials may already be in your kitchen. Other participants may want to bring their materials from home.
With CourseHorse, you can easily book a private course. The minimum size for a private course is ten people; however, if you do not know the exact number, you can book with your best guess and add or subtract participants up to a week before the event. Booking fees are not hidden. You will receive an event confirmation 24 hours before you reserved time. You may be charged a cancellation fee if you cancel.
With specialized games or additional events with materials included, you can customize the course to fit the group's energy for an additional $150 fee. For virtual courses, CourseHorse recommends using Zoom to attend the course; however, they can accommodate other teleconferencing platforms like Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx if needed. Some courses can come to your office or home if desired.