From Biology to Baking: How Kyla Henry Found Her Passion at Louisiana Culinary Institute
Sometimes the right career path is not the one you originally planned. For Louisiana Culinary Institute (LCI) baking and pastry student Kyla Henry, finding her passion meant changing directions, trusting her creativity, and discovering that baking was more than a hobby. It was her future. Her journey from studying biology to pursuing a career in pastry arts is a reminder that it's never too late to follow what truly inspires you.
Where Does a Career in Pastry Arts Begin?
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Kyla's love of baking began long before culinary school. She grew up watching her grandmother bake cakes and help customers celebrate special moments with homemade desserts. Years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, baking became both a creative outlet and a new passion.
What started with brownies and family recipes quickly turned into something more. As she experimented in the kitchen and recreated her grandmother's cakes, she realized how much she loved both the artistic and scientific sides of baking. Trial and error became part of the process, and each new dessert strengthened her interest in the craft.
How Can Real-World Experience Shape Career Goals?
After high school, Kyla attended college pursuing a biology degree before later exploring Spanish studies. But despite spending several years in traditional academic programs, something never quite felt right. She realized her passion existed somewhere else entirely.
Everything changed when she began working at Sweet Society in Baton Rouge. There, she had the opportunity not only to create desserts but even develop a menu item that was sold to customers.
"Seeing people enjoy something I created made me realize this was something I wanted to do long-term," she shared.
That experience ultimately led her to Louisiana Culinary Institute.
What Should You Look for in a Baking and Pastry School?
As a Baton Rouge native, staying close to home was important to Kyla. After touring LCI with her parents, she quickly felt like she had found the right place.
She was drawn to the school's small class sizes, hands-on curriculum, and focused culinary environment. Unlike larger universities, LCI offered an education centered entirely on food and hospitality.
"I really liked that it was more concentrated on food. It's something I'm genuinely interested in," she explained.
Today, with just one semester remaining in the Baking & Pastry program, Kyla says attending LCI has been one of the best educational experiences she's had.
How Does Hands-On Learning Prepare Future Pastry Chefs?
One of Kyla's favorite aspects of LCI is its hands-on learning environment.
From sanitation and kitchen fundamentals to advanced pastry techniques, students spend significant time actively working in kitchens rather than simply sitting through lectures. As a hands-on learner, this approach has made a tremendous impact on her education.
Her current Cake and Entremet class has become a favorite. Students create complex desserts involving mousses, creams, ice cream, and multiple components that require precision and technical skill.
"Baking is really technical," she explained. "Everything has to be measured by weight, and precision matters."
She especially enjoys custom cakes because they combine artistry with baking science, allowing for creative freedom in every design.
How Can Culinary Students Gain Industry Experience Before Graduation?
Kyla's education extends beyond the classroom.
After learning about an opening through fellow students at LCI, she began working at Eloise Market & Cakery in Baton Rouge. What started with customer service and dishwashing has evolved into baking, decorating pastries, and fulfilling customer orders.
She credits both her workplace experience and LCI education for helping her grow as a future culinary professional.
"The things we learn in class directly apply to what I do at work," she said. "We repeat techniques so often that they become second nature."
Outside of school and work, Kyla also operates a small custom cake business, taking orders and sharing her creations online. Seeing customers' reactions when they pick up their cakes remains one of her favorite parts of baking.
How Can Culinary School Help Students Reach Their Career Goals?
After graduation this December, Kyla hopes to continue growing her custom cake business while pursuing her long-term dream of becoming a pastry chef at a high-end hotel or fine dining restaurant. One day, she hopes to create her own dessert menus and share her artistic vision through pastry.
Looking back on her journey, Kyla says LCI has only strengthened her passion for baking.
"The Chef Instructors make learning fun," she said. "You have to want to learn, and they give you the tools to grow."
For future students considering culinary school, her advice is simple: ask questions, stay curious, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn. Because sometimes the path you never expected turns out to be exactly where you're meant to be.
