Diploma

A pastry chef, or patissier, is the Willy Wonka of professional kitchens. She creates delicious cakes, pastries, pies, cookies and breads. In a hotel or restaurant kitchen, they occupy the pastry substation and are responsible for creating products that are as pleasing aesthetcially as they are to taste. Though the job requires long hours on the feet, a pastry chef gets to employ his creativity to the fullest and come up with tantalising creations, making it a satisfying profession.
As it is a specialised field, a degree/certificate course in baking after class XII is ideal. However, many chefs believe hands-on training works as well. You can get on-the-job experience while doing an apprenticeship programme or learn the ropes after doing a degree in hotel management. The latter gives you a holistic view of all departments in a kitchen and is required if you wish to one day be promoted to the position of executive chef.
Institutes:
Institute of Hotel Management, Training and Nutrition
STEP programme at The Oberoi hotels
National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
Culinary Institute of America
The French Culinary Institute, New York