Did you know there's a pastry program on the West Island, complete with a boutique? Located in the former Seignory School, the pastry program is offered by Pearson Adult Career Centre (PACC) Vocational Training. Boasting a fully equipped professional kitchen, the centre allows students to learn the latest trends and techniques in the fine art of pastry making.
Chef Alfred De Luca guides students as they learn the skills of a pastry chef. Students in the pastry program learn how to prepare, bake, decorate, and present traditional French pastries and desserts. Like all PACC vocational programs, the pastry program is taught by industry experts. Upon successfully completing the program, students receive a diploma in vocational studies.
PHOTO: Lester B. Pearson Continuing Education
Previous graduates from the pastry program have been recognized for their skills. For example, in 2019, PACC pastry student Neda Jandaghi earned a bronze medal at the Quebec Vocational Olympics for her pastry creations.
In addition to the pastry program, the centre boasts a state-of-the-art bread making lab. The centre is looking to offer the Bread Making program in the new year. The bread making kitchen is fully equipped with French ovens and mixers. The ovens have the capacity to bake 200 loaves of bread per hour. The lab was built at the start of 2020. However, the pandemic and supply chain issues delayed the construction. Today, the lab is ready to receive the next group of students.
Assistant Centre Director Christie Brown is very proud of the Pointe-Claire campus, "We have been very busy at the Pointe-Claire campus throughout the pandemic. With both pastry and bread making offered at the campus, opening a boutique to the public made so much sense. We certainly have experienced the supply chain delays for the equipment needed, but it is exciting to open it to the public."
"Former students started a private chat group called 'La Boutique de Yéyé,' fondly named for our Pastry Coordinator in Pointe-Claire, Chef Alfred De Luca. They have been sharing pictures of the final products for the last several months, and now we look forward to sharing our students' success with the larger community."
The public can buy the delicious goodies made by students. The boutique is open from Monday to Friday, 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Customers can enter the boutique from the right side of the building. The boutique entrance is located behind the parking lot. The Pearson Pastry Shop will be closed during the school holiday break, as of Dec. 22, and then reopens on Jan. 16. Boutique address: 150 Av. Seigniory, Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 4R5
SOURCE: The Pearson News
