What is it Like Being a Baker?
Nov 2, 2014 | 8:00 am
If you want to know what being a baker is like, then this article was written especially for you. From it, you will find out what are the main responsibilities of a baker and you will be able to figure out whether or not this job fits you. To begin with, we will tell you that a baker sells and bakes (obviously) bread and other bread products, including cakes and pastries. So, if you like working in the kitchen, preparing all kinds of loaves, muffins and cakes, then this job is the right one for you. Moreover, if you keep up with lots of recipe books for chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, carrot cakes and many more, then there is no doubt that being a baker is the best choice for you.
How Can You Start?
If you bake all kinds of cakes at home, this doesn’t mean that you are a professional baker and that a bakery will employ you at once. In order to do so, you will have to learn a lot of things and in some cases, for example, if you want to become a pastry chef, you will have to pursue formal training in a culinary school. Otherwise, first you will have to be an apprentice and learn from the best. You will need to learn bread and bakery recipes by heart and you will have to get accustomed with using specialized machinery. Being a baker does not imply only mixing the ingredients and preparing a simple tray of cookies.
What Will Your Responsibilities Be?
There are many duties that a baker has to complete in a day’s work. To begin with, you will have to mix and measure the ingredients and prepare the dough exactly as the recipe says. When the dough is ready to use, you will have to cut, roll or shape it according to the recipe and then you will have to bake it. Finally, you must decorate it, as applicable. Being a baker means that you will have a tight production schedule, so you should always be ready for new orders when they emerge. At the same time, you will have to be careful about the timing and using the right measurements.
The site Hcareers.com also lists as one of the baker’s responsibilities and skills, the creativity. Thus, a baker needs creativity in order to develop new and original recipes for delicious baked goods. If you’re working in a 5-star restaurant, then this will be a top requirement.
Being a baker also means that you will have to work alone most of the time. As a result, you must be self-motivated in order to get the job done. Finally, you must have a good knowledge of safety and hygiene standards and you need to strictly observe them.
So, as you can see, being a baker is not that difficult and if you really like this profession, then you should go along and pursue it. The financial benefits are also important, as you can earn up to $13.50 hourly.