Add to that the fact that most culinary schools silo savory and pastry, and the result is that many chefs have zero experience making desserts. For some chefs, though, the magic is in the crossover.

For first-timers and dedicated home bakers alike, these are the best baking cookbooks, from authors including Stella Parks, Dominique Ansel and more.

Lionel Boyce spoke with enthusiasm and thoughtful detail about his training as an actor to portray a pastry chef on “The Bear,” staging at restaurants and learning skills and techniques… ...