MANILA, Philippines - Pastry chef Jean Francois Arnaud and a group of international chefs opened the Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts Philippines last Aug. 5.
The Philippine school is a sister school of the Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia, which chef Jean co-founded with pastry chef Niklesh Sharma.
Chef Niklesh, the Academy’s managing director, shared that many students, including Filipinos, go to Europe or the United States to undergo pastry training, where the courses can be very expensive.
“We feel the Philippines is a great destination to open up an academy looking at the number of Filipinos working in hotels within and outside the Philippines,” said managing director and pastry chef Niklesh Sharma. “We want provide organized and structural training for students looking for a career in the hotel industry, pastry shops, and those who want to put up their own businesses.”
Chef Jean has been granted an Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF) or “One of the Best Craftsmen of France” in 2000. The MOF by the French government as a recognition for one’s expertise. He has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels and has participated and won numerous awards in artistic pastry, chocolate showpieces, and sugar arts competitions His recipes have appeared in top pastry publications around the world like the Thuries Gastronomie Magazine and he has also participated in salon de chocolate, creating chocolate dresses for fashion shows.
Chef Niklesh is the former executive pastry chef of The Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel. He started his career in 1997 at the Rajvilas, one of the best resorts in the world, and has been an opening team member of luxury hotels and resorts in India. He is also a multi-awarded chef and has worked for top hotel and resorts groups like the Oberoi Ressorts, Carlson Group, Tai Fort Aguada Hotel, Tai West End Hotel, and The Renaissance Kuala Lumpur.
The Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts Philippines offers full-time and part-time (weekend) programs.
The full-time program includes a three-month certificate course in Pastry & Bakery, a six-month diploma course in Pastry & Bakery. Both programs will run for 12 weeks and graduates will receive an international certification from the City & Guild London.
The part-time weekend program will run for 12 weekends with a new topic to be covered each week.
The Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts Philippines is located at the 4th Floor Metro House Bldg., Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.
For information, call 0917-2039089, 0947-7558979 or visit www.academyofpastryartsphilippines.com.