CAP Pastry Exam: Walkthrough and Tips for Success

When I published my CAP techniques ebook on my old exam preparation groups, I could see the excitement during exam season. I also realized I had never shared how my own exam went, even though it could certainly help some of you. But first, let me share my thoughts and tips for passing the CAP pastry exam. (I didn't really have a photo to illustrate this article so I dug out one from my first mock CAP exam... Clearly I've made quite a bit of progress in photography since then :P)

A quick point before we start, which I think is useful for preparing well. You need to be aware that when you take the CAP as an independent candidate, the profession sees you as a tourist. I personally only met quite nice people during my training and exam, but overall, independent candidates are looked down upon.

It's somewhat understandable, since many don't show up for the exams (even though perishable ingredients were planned for them) or are really not well prepared. You often hear professionals say that pastry "isn't like on TV..." and that's absolutely true.

It's one thing to know how to make an almost perfect fraisier in your kitchen for Sunday lunch — it's quite another to be able to produce 15 perfectly identical fraisiers in 2 hours. Saying you're a pro because you passed the CAP as an independent candidate is a bit like telling uncle Jean-Louis who carries bags of concrete 8 hours a day that you're also a building professional because you managed to assemble your IKEA wardrobe... (yes, I'm exaggerating a bit...).

That doesn't mean you won't become good with practice, simply that you need to remain extremely humble and be aware that you don't have the level of someone who started at 14 with 2 years of hands-on experience. But on the other hand, we also have a certain perspective and seriousness that not all apprentices have... But generally speaking: keep quiet, listen, and stay discreet!

Another point that unfortunately needs mentioning is that the pastry world can be quite sexist. I personally didn't have any particular problems, but a girl told me that one of the examiners handed her a cloth to clean up after the exam, telling her she might as well get used to it since that's all she'd ever be good at in her career... Lovely atmosphere... But as I said above, the majority of people in the trade are lovely, great teachers, and passionate about passing on their craft. I met wonderful people during my journey.

I was very lucky to take mock CAP exams in a real lab, and frankly it saved my final exam! I had miserably failed my first attempt and moderately failed the second (and I'd cut myself both times — the second time before the exam even started...). Those two practice runs allowed me to perform (at least adequately) at the real exam, and I strongly encourage you to take a mock CAP if you get the chance. It's not always easy to find, but more and more labs are offering exam-condition practice sessions.

One last little point before we move on to the actual exam walkthrough. It might be a detail for you (but for me...), plan ahead for how you're going to get rid of all the production from your practice sessions: neighbours, friends, colleagues... With practice, passing the CAP isn't complicated. Passing the CAP without ending up 10 kg heavier is another story! It's a reality you need to be aware of. And don't buy your uniform too early — every year students have to buy new ones for the exam because they no longer fit...

Next time, I'll tell you about how I messed up my choux pastry at the exam and prayed to every god in heaven for it to still rise in the oven!