Come on, now that we're registered and we've reviewed the conditions of each exam. It's time to roll up our sleeves and start revising. But where to start when you're a private candidate and you don't have anyone to give you feedback on your pastries? Let's look together at the useful books for passing the CAP pastry as a private candidate.
Ah, it's not easy to sort through all the information we're given and know which books are necessary to prepare well. Especially since it's a significant budget and everyone claims to have THE book that will get you to pass your exam.
Well, before anything else I advise you to download my ebook :
It's not meant to be exhaustive but it will still give you some basics on the preparations most requested in the CAP pastry exam (and besides, it's free).
For other books, you'll find different opinions depending on the sites and people. A book will work perfectly for one person and not at all for another. So I'm going to give you my opinion and the different feedback (based on pastry Facebook groups I'm subscribed to) I've had on those I haven't tested. If you're interested in a work, you can click on the photos to order the book.
Preparing the practice and theory related to pastry:
The Pastry Chef's Book
Bernard Deschamps and Jean-Claude Deschaintre, 39.90 euros
It's an ugly and expensive book (that said it was reprinted since and the new layout is much more modern apparently)! It contains a theoretical part (fact sheets on sugar, flour, lab organization...) and a basic recipes section. The photos in my edition are horrible but I find the content and the tips extremely clear.
I've seen some sites advise against it. For my part, I bought it, read through it and I still use it today, 2 years after obtaining my CAP. I could very well have sold it used (many do), yet it still sits at the top of my cookbook pile. So I think that's a sign that it's essential.
I'm Preparing for my CAP Pastry
by Daniel Chaboissier and Emmanuel Humblot, 38 euros
I used this one a bit less but the summary fact sheets on each ingredient/technique are well done and allow you to revise quickly. I also think it's a good investment, it's really practical for studying oral questions during practice.
Pastry!
Christophe Felder, 40.50 euros
It's not a book specifically for CAP but the basic techniques are extremely well explained and detailed. It's really very beautiful with engaging visuals. In my opinion, it's not essential for the CAP but it's a really nice book to have on your shelf. It will accompany you throughout your life as a pastry lover.
Pastry: The Keys to Success
by Denis Herrero and Germain Etienne, 209 euros
It's an encyclopedia of several volumes that covers pastry but also chocolate, ice cream and baking. I didn't buy these books (209 € after all!) but the feedback I got on them is very good. Like Christophe Felder's book, I don't think it's essential at all (besides I wouldn't buy it today either) but it's a very good collection if you want to treat yourself and deepen your knowledge once you have your CAP. It's currently out of stock but it's such a bible for some that I imagine it will be reprinted soon.
I'm Taking my CAP Pastry as a Private Candidate (from 750g)
by Damien Duquesne and Regis Garnaud, 25.00 euros
Well, I've only heard bad things about this one! The recipes aren't CAP recipes apparently and it skims over the program. A shame for a work that specifically deals with the subject! In my opinion, move on!
Pass your CAP Pastry (Michel and Augustin)
The Mischief Makers of Michel and Augustin, 24.95 euros
Same thing with this book. I flipped through it in store and it's very very basic, not really professional and the photos are minimal. In my opinion it's better to save up to buy yourself a really nice detailed book than these two books that smell more of marketing opportunism than the will to really help private candidates.
« Succeed in the CAP Pastry »
Grégory Taounhaer, 25 euros the ebook + the recipe notebook to print
If you visit his website or the dedicated Facebook group, you'll see that this guy knows his stuff. I think it's the only book written by someone who has real ongoing contact with private candidates. I didn't get the chance to see his ebook (at the time I already felt comfortable with the information available online and my 2 books) but the feedback I got on it was rather good (without it being enough as a book on its own).
Written exams of the CAP:
Personally I didn't buy any books to revise the 3 written exams of the CAP (Pastry Technology, Food Science and Knowledge of the Business and its Economic, Legal and Social Environment).
The level isn't very high and I felt comfortable simply doing past exams several times. I think I got 17.5 out of the entire exam.
If you really feel lost you can always get additional books. The only interesting one in my opinion is the one on PSE (Prevention, Health and Environment):
by
It covers all the important information in the form of summary fact sheets and diagrams. It's more than enough to get a good grade.
Books concerning other subjects (Business Environment and Applied Sciences of the CAP) offer fact sheets and exercises, but the answer keys are for purchase separately. Not really worth it then. If you ask me, work through past exams well and that will be more than enough!
Don't hesitate to comment if you have the same feedback as me on these books.
