Bakers bake an assortment of goodies including cakes, breads, cookies, pies, and pastries. The most common places of their work are, of course, bakeries and specialty pastry shops. They can also be found working in the bakery section of supermarkets and facilities that serve large quantities of baked goods like hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Usually, their creations are produced in bulk - particularly the breads and pastries.
To be a qualified baker, formal education is a must. Hands-on training is the largest part of the training and actually takes place while at work, but classes that prepare you to read recipes correctly, understand the chemistry in baking, and use the tools necessary to make a baker succeed cannot be discounted. Finally, bakers have to be really talented and creative in order to satisfy the demands of their customers.
If becoming a professional baker is your dream career, then the first step to reaching your dream is to check out baking & pastry schools and then pick one, which you think will offer you the best education. Enroll and take your lessons seriously because everything will be useful to you once you start working.
On the other hand, you can make it in the world of baking by working hard and keeping these few tips in mind. These may be simple advice but these will really help you to become a good baker.
Basic requirement
Make sure to finish high school because you will not be able to enroll in any baking schools without it. It is also a good idea to focus on your math subjects since you need this when pursuing a baking career. Remember, bakers do a lot of measuring which involves fractions, division, addition, subtraction, and equivalents.
Apprenticeship
Work with a professional baker as an apprentice. The reason for this is experience in the real world helps you to gain more ideas and techniques that you can apply when you start working. You can also observe the baker while they are doing their work and get lots of pointers that will help shape your own career. Furthermore, working alongside a very experienced baker offers you a kind of learning that you can't gain in school.
Practice
It is true that practice makes perfect so keep on practicing and try your hand on different recipes. In this manner, you can hone your skills until your baking gets refined. Become familiar with the tools and how to use them and why. Coming into a position with confidence from doing things numerous times makes you a desirable candidate.
Build up your career from your experiences
Successful bakers have worked for many years. Their experience (gained from years of working) has contributed on how good they are today. They have perfected their skills and baking doesn't feel like a chore anymore, but more of a pleasure. Build your career from your experiences and you will reach the top just like your mentors.
Know-how/Learning
Another thing that you must pay attention to in order to succeed in baking is knowledge. Expand your knowledge in baking by researching and being up to date with the latest trends in pastry, cake, cookies, and bread-making. Read books, magazines, and websites that publish anything about food and baking. With extensive knowledge, you will be fully equipped and can readily deal with any issues relating to your profession.
Education/Degree
Lastly, students who want to be bakers must understand that baking is a program that requires proper education and training. Thus, the completion of the appropriate culinary program is the key that will open the way to a winning career. Get a culinary arts degree. You will learn a lot about the many sides of the culinary world, including baking - which you want to focus on. Your diploma serves as your certification that proves you are qualified to become a baker. This document will make it easier for you to get a job in big companies, as most of them prefer people who have completed some formal education.
You can be one of the most sought after bakers in the future; start your career as a baker by searching for a recognized culinary or baking school and earn your diploma today.