Self Study or Baking Diploma for Vegan?

[oneguy]

I think I asked this question in the wrong forum so this is a copy of the same question...by the way is there a way for my to delete a question so I dont have to have the same post in two different forums?

Here is my question...

I was wondering if it would be a good idea, for someone who wants to start their own bakery, to take a baking/pastry diploma course.(associates is just too expensive) Keeping in mind that everything I bake for anyone is vegan. I'm thinking that it may save me time in the long run in recipe formulations and what not. Also I would be getting a diverse look at many different skills (I assume). Plus it's hard for me to find a bakery where I don't have to work on Saturdays (for religous reasons).
Dont get me wrong, I would definately go for learning more skills at a bakery but I live where the very few number of bakeries there are make me hang my head in shame at what they have to offer as far as quality goes. I would even be willing to move to work in a good bakery, but again, that endevor has not been reasonably attainable so that seems to take me back to a baking/pastry course (with a good sized price tag).
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

[kellynbobellen]

my advice would be to take a baking and pastry course, you will have to do alot that IS NOT vegan but they will touch on it depending on where you go, and your teachers can give you come amazing recipes for vegan baked goods. Also, you will be learning the same techniques, so your skill level will sky-rocket from someone who just learned from home. Also, its great to start out working somewhere (i worked at a bakery before i am going to school this fall) and the down-side of it is that most times you wont work on the things you really want to do...you wont cover all subjects. so unless you know you ONLY want to make certain things and making it exactly like that particular bakery makes them...

go to school and learn your own style, that will help to make your business different and unique, because lets face it...who wants our food to be the same everywhere. and if price is a worry try a community college, usually their programs are great and they aren't so costly like the top schools.

hope that helps!! and good luck with starting your shop!

[TakilmaKate]

Read all the textbooks, and get a degree in BUSINESS! Your passion for cooking will inform you, the schools' textbooks will structure your self-education, and BUSINESS courses will (one hopes) keep you from going belly up. Good luck