Whether you discovered your passion for crafting ice cream treats during your pastry and baking training at culinary school or knew that all you ever wanted to do was make ice cream, this article teaches you how to become an ice cream maker.
This article is part of a series of articles written for anyone who wishes to become an ice cream chef. To understand what an ice cream chef is, read our previous article.
7 Steps on How to Become an Ice Cream Chef.
To become an Ice Cream Chef, you can either first become a pastry chef and then specialise in ice cream making or start and train in ice cream making directly.
If your pastry chef courses include a foundation in ice cream making and you realise you want to be an ice cream chef, you’re already on the right track to becoming an ice cream chef. Your next step is to build on this foundation to further develop your skills towards specialising in ice cream making.
However, you can also become an ice cream from scratch. This involves a combination of education, training, and hands-on experience.
Here’s a general roadmap to becoming an ice cream chef:
1. Completing Pastry Training That Includes Ice Cream Making.
Education and hands-on training are the best places to start. Although formal education isn’t strictly required, you can begin your ice cream-making career by completing a well-rounded pastry and baking course in which dessert-making and ice cream production must be essential components.
Obtaining certification by pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate in pastry arts at a recognised culinary school or related institution provides you with solid credibility for obtaining work or starting your own business.
Furthermore, you are part of the broader pastry field as an ice cream chef. A pastry-making course will provide a comprehensive education in your field and offer further career options.
Pastry programs include culinary techniques, creativity, artistry, culinary science, experiential learning, and networking, all essential for ice cream-making success.
2. Alternatively, Gain Specialised Ice Cream Making Training.
You can pursue specialised training in ice cream making, as courses and workshops that focus specifically on this are available.
This is especially true for individuals who are sure that their greatest passion is specialising in ice cream making and who don’t need to, want to, or can’t attend pastry school.
Still, pastry chefs who want to specialise in ice cream-making must enhance and cement their skills through ice cream-focused training.
Specialised courses can teach you everything about making ice cream, from creating flavours to selling it. They provide the knowledge, skills and hands-on training to excel in this specialised field and become successful ice cream chefs.
They can cover various aspects of ice cream production, including techniques, mixing and developing flavours, evaluating taste and texture, selecting ingredients, creating various frozen treats like frozen yoghurt, the tools and equipment needed, their usage and operation, and business aspects related to ice cream entrepreneurship.
Various culinary schools and institutions offer standalone short courses or workshops dedicated to ice cream making. Courses can range from small-scale to training in commercial ice cream production.
Additionally, online resources, workshops, and certifications are available for individuals interested in honing their skills in ice cream production.
3. Practice and Experiment with Various Ice Cream Recipes.
Set aside time to practice making ice cream at home, in kitchen labs if you’re in a specialised course or a full-time pastry program, or in a professional kitchen if you have access. Take every chance to hone your skills.
Build on what you’ve learned in your coursework and keep improving through hands-on practice. Try out various recipes, flavours, and methods to enhance your skills and creativity in ice cream making. Keep careful notes on your experiments and results to learn from successes and failures.
4. Build Work Experience Through Part-time or Volunteer Work.
While finding opportunities to gain practical experience in ice cream making outside your coursework can be challenging, try your best.
Do this, especially if you’re completing a pastry course and are sure you want to specialise in ice cream making. This could involve volunteering or working part-time in ice cream shops, bakeries, pastry shops, or restaurants specialising in frozen desserts.
Seek out internships or apprenticeships where you can learn from experienced ice cream chefs and gain hands-on experience using professional equipment and techniques.
5. Seek Mentorship to Improve Your Ice-cream Making Skills.
If possible, connect with instructors or industry professionals with ice cream-making expertise. Ask for guidance, feedback, and advice on how to improve your ice cream-making skills.
Mentorship can be invaluable in helping you develop your abilities and gain insights into the nuances of ice cream production.
6. Continuously Expand Your Knowledge and Stay Updated.
There’s always more to learn. Seek additional resources such as books, online courses, and workshops on ice cream production. Look for opportunities to deepen your understanding of ingredients, freezing techniques, and flavour development in ice cream.
To stay informed about current trends and innovations in the ice cream industry, follow industry publications, attend trade shows and conferences, and connect with other professionals in the field.
Awareness of emerging trends and techniques will help you stay competitive and evolve as an ice cream chef.
7. Create and Build a Portfolio of Your Ice Cream Creations.
Document your ice cream-making journey by keeping a portfolio of your creations. Take photos, write down recipes, and keep track of any awards or accolades you receive for your ice cream creations. You must put yourself out there by participating in competitions or food festivals.
A strong portfolio will showcase your skills and accomplishments as an ice cream chef and help you attract potential employers or clients.
The Two Paths to Becoming an Ice-cream Maker: Which is Best?
As mentioned, to become an ice cream chef, you can first become a pastry chef and then specialise in ice cream making or start and train in ice cream making directly.
Both paths have advantages. If you first become a pastry chef, you will gain a solid foundation in baking and pastry arts, which can be beneficial when specialising in ice cream-making. Ice cream is often a component of plated desserts, and understanding pastry fundamentals can help you create more cohesive and flavourful dishes.
On the other hand, if you start and train in ice cream-making directly, you can focus early on your passion for frozen desserts and develop your expertise in this area.
Both paths can lead to a rewarding career in the culinary arts. There is no one “right” way to become an Ice Cream Chef, and choosing from these two paths depends on your interests, career goals, and learning preferences.
Here are some factors to consider:
The Benefits of Starting as a Pastry Chef:
Pursuing a pastry-making certificate or degree program can benefit an aspirant ice cream chef in several ways:
Gaining Basic Skills in Baking, Pastry and Culinary Arts.
Becoming a pastry chef first provides a strong foundation in baking and dessert-making techniques, which can be beneficial when transitioning to ice cream-making.
Pastry-making courses often cover basic baking techniques, flavour combinations, and dessert presentation. These skills can be applied to creating high-quality ice cream, as both involve precision in ingredient measurement, temperature control, and aesthetic appeal.
In addition, understanding the properties and functions of various ingredients, such as sugar, dairy, and flavourings, is invaluable for crafting ice cream.
Gaining Basic Hot Kitchen Culinary Skills.
Some pastry courses include cooking training, allowing pastry chefs to develop essential culinary skills such as flavour pairing, ingredient manipulation, and presentation, which are valuable in ice cream making.
Flexibility to Work in Culinary and Ice Cream Settings.
Being a Pastry Chef can provide you with a broader range of skills and experiences, which can be advantageous when opening your own business or seeking employment. Pastry chefs can work in various culinary settings beyond ice cream, including bakeries, pastry shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Developing a Creative and Artistic Flair.
The various pastry techniques learned while completing a pastry-making program help you become creative, artistic, and innovative in dessert creation.
This is important for creating unique and innovative ice cream flavours and textures and showcasing them in visually appealing ways. Ice cream chefs must be creative and artistic to make ice cream that tastes and looks great.
Developing Knowledge in Culinary Science.
Pastry programs focusing on baking and pastry arts usually have classes in culinary science. These classes teach the scientific principles behind baking and making pastries.
This knowledge is essential for making ice cream because it helps you understand the chemical reactions that happen when things freeze.
Real-World Experiential Training.
In baking and pastry arts programs, students often work in real kitchens, ranging from small to larger food establishments, through internships or practicums. This hands-on experience helps them learn how things work in the culinary world.
This is beneficial for any pastry chef or aspirant ice cream chefs because it prepares them for the demands of their future jobs and helps them meet people who can help their careers.
The Benefits of Starting Directly in Ice Cream-making.
Gaining In-Depth Knowledge and Expertise in Ice Cream Making.
Completing a course focussed on ice cream training provides you with in-depth knowledge and expertise specifically tailored to learning the subtle techniques and aspects of ice cream production, ensuring mastery of this specific culinary art.
Pursuing an Ice Cream Career at the Outset Shows Commitment.
Starting directly in ice cream making and completing a specialised course allows you to pursue your interests and career goals from the outset.
This shows a clear commitment to pursuing a career in the ice cream industry, which can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers seeking candidates with specialised expertise.
The Opportunity to be Trained by Ice Cream Experts.
Pastry schools may not necessarily use ice cream experts as culinary instructors to teach their pastry course’s ice cream production aspects. However, enrolling in a professional ice cream-making program increases your chances of being taught by instructors with extensive experience and expertise in the field.
These instructors can provide tailored guidance and mentorship to help you master ice cream making.
Access To Specialised Resources for Ice Cream Making.
Attending an ice cream-making training program typically offers access to specialised equipment, ingredients, and resources tailored specifically for ice cream production. This ensures you have the necessary tools and support to experiment with different recipes and techniques.
Ample Hands-on Experience and Opportunity for Skill Refining.
Ice cream-making courses often prioritise hands-on learning, providing ample opportunities to practice and refine skills. This practical experience is invaluable for developing the precision and intuition required to produce high-quality ice cream consistently.
A Chance to Network with Fellow Ice Cream Chefs.
Being part of an ice cream-making program can connect you with fellow aspiring ice cream chefs, industry professionals, and potential employers. These networking opportunities can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborative ventures within the ice cream industry.
Saving in Training Costs, Time and Entry into the Workforce.
Courses teaching you how to produce ice cream offer a more streamlined curriculum than broader culinary courses. Thus, students can acquire the necessary skills and knowledge quickly, potentially saving time and money on tuition fees.
Additionally, specialised programs may offer flexible scheduling options, such as intensive courses or online modules, which can help you better balance training with other commitments.
This efficiency can expedite your entry into the workforce and minimise the financial investment required to launch your career as an ice cream chef.
Duration and Cost of a Specialised Ice-Cream Making Course.
Duration of an Ice Cream Making Course.
Completing an ice cream-making course can take a few hours to several days. A topic like alternative frozen desserts can take four hours, while a comprehensive training program can take five days to cover.
According to our research from a few courses, the varying duration of an ice cream course depends on the specific course and its structure.
Examples of Ice Cream Courses and Their Duration.
The “Food Safety Basics for Ice Cream Makers” course from NC State University takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete.
The “Professional course in artisanal ice cream making” by Gerogelato is a 5-day course, with 8 hours of instruction per day.
The “Online Ice Cream Courses” offered by IceCreamSchool.com cover different topics and can vary in duration. For example, there is a 3-hour video class on financial stability in an ice cream business, a 4-hour video course on dairy-free/vegan/dairy alternative frozen desserts, and a 2-hour video class on the introduction to the ice cream business.
Cost of an Ice Cream-making Course.
The cost of an ice cream-making course can vary depending on the specific course and provider.
Below are the costs of some ice cream-making courses we’ve researched:
- Homemade Ice Cream 101: From Basic to Business – Udemy: The current price for this course is $27.99.
- Professional course in artisanal ice cream making—Gerogelato: This course costs 799 €, including lunch daily.
- BYO Ice Cream Making Class – Confetti: This virtual ice cream-making class costs $480.
- Food Safety Basics for Ice Cream Makers: Individual courses are $35 each, and the curriculum bundle, including all eight courses, costs $250.
Based on the above sources, an ice cream-making course can range from $27.99 to 799 €/$799 (current exchange rate), depending on the course content, duration, and provider.
Examples of What You Learn in an Ice Cream Making Course.
Ice cream-making courses provide a comprehensive overview of the process, from the fundamentals to advanced techniques, to prepare students for success in the industry.
Typically, you can expect to cover a variety of topics, including:
An introduction to ice cream making: What ice cream is, its history, and the value of ice cream.
Equipment and tools needed: Learning about the tools and machines used to make ice cream.
Ingredients: Exploring what goes into ice creams, like milk, sugar, and flavours.
Making flavours: Learning to mix ingredients to create different ice cream flavours and experimenting with various flavour combinations.
Making ice cream: Mastering the step-by-step process of making ice cream, including mixing ingredients, pasteurising, homogenising, ageing, and freezing ice cream.
Making alternative frozen desserts: Learning to make non-dairy frozen desserts or “ice cream” using ingredients like almonds, coconut, cashews, peanut butter, hemp milk, fruit sorbets, and other dairy-free and vegan flavours.
Food safety: Learning to keep things clean to avoid making people sick through understanding the importance of hygiene and safety practices to prevent contamination and ensure the quality of frozen desserts.
Texture: Learning about getting the right teel or texture and consistency for your ice cream.
Taste test: Learning to tell if your ice cream tastes good and evaluate it for the right texture, appearance, and overall quality.
Selling: Exploring marketing strategies and presenting your ice cream to attract customers.
Introduction to the Ice Cream Business: This can include starting an ice cream business and the different ways to sell ice cream, like using mobile carts, food trucks, or opening a regular store. Students learn to explore marketing strategies and present their ice cream to attract customers.
This part of the course can also include understanding the business side of ice cream making, including cost analysis, pricing strategies, and customer service.
