A baker bakes bread, pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods by combining raw ingredients according to recipes.The traditional idea of a baker is someone who works in his own bakery and caters to a local market, but bakers can also work in specialty shops or restaurants where they produce smaller quantities for consumption at the location itself or in manufacturing positions.If you want to become a baker, you have to enroll in a training program at a supermarket or apprenticeship with a craft baker.If you want to learn how to bake, see Step 1.
Step 1: Do you have a high school degree?
It is not mandatory for you to have a high school degree to become a baker.Basic math, as well as other concepts that can help you in your profession, will be learned in high school.If you want to get a leg up in your field, you will need a high school diploma.If you are still in high school and want to become a baker, you should finish the course.You should take home economics, cooking, or other baking related courses in high school to get a head start on your career.
Step 2: You can attend a technical orculinary school.
A technical school can help you improve your craft, learn more techniques, and find a niche as a baker.You will get an education in nutrition, health, and mathematics in these programs, which last from 1 to 2 years.Take your studies seriously if this sounds like the best path for you, and look into programs in your area that offer a reasonable financial package.The experience shouldn't be seen as slowing you down from being a real baker.If you make the time commitment for both, you can begin working as an apprenticeship in your area while you are in school.If you want to become a high end pastry chef, you should get trained at the best program you can afford.Extra training will help you get noticed and hired in this kind of work.
Step 3: You can apply to be an apprenticeship.
If you want to learn more basic cooking skills, like how to bake a variety of cookies, you can become an apprenticeship at an artisan bakery.You may be able to find an apprenticeship for aspiring bakers at a bakery in your area if you train for 3 years.When looking for work as a baker, it's always a good idea to have some connections, like working at a bakery or local store, so you have a leg up.It is common for bakers to start out as an apprenticeship in a bakery or grocery store, learning the basics of baking, icing, and decorating.Basic Sanitation procedures and nutrition are topics that you will learn as an apprenticeship or a trainee.You will learn how to operate industrial-sized blending and mixing machines for producing baked goods if you begin your training or apprenticeship in a manufacturing facility.If you have the determination and experience, you can become a baker's assistant.
Step 4: You can choose a specialty.
You don't need to make this decision as soon as you start your training or apprenticeship, but it helps to have an idea of the type of baking you're most interested in.It's possible to be an in-store, plant, or craft baker.Being a craft baker requires a lot of skill, and you can get started in this field by going to a store or plant.Plant or commercial bakers most often work in manufacturing facilities that make baked goods at high speeds.You will need to learn to use high-volume industrial machines, ovens, and conveyors if you choose this route.Craft baking has more room for creativity than commercial baking.Specialty shops, bakeries, and grocery stores are where most bakers work.They produce a smaller amount of baked goods for people to buy.Depending on where they work, they may even serve the customers themselves.Retail bakers own their own shops.They will need to make a variety of breads, pastries, pies, and cupcakes, but they will also have to hire, train and supervise staff, as well as budget their supplies, set their prices and manage daily production.
Step 5: You should consider getting certified.
certification can show that you have the knowledge and skills to work at a retail baking establishment, even though you don't have to get certified to become a true baker.It can help you get noticed by bakeries where you want to work, and it can make you stand out from the rest of the candidates.Management, retail sales, baking Sanitation, and staff training are some of the areas of specialization that you can get certified in.Before taking an exam to prove your competence, you must meet a series of requirements, which are based on both your experience and your education.Depending on your level of experience, there are different levels of certification.If you want to be a certified journey baker, you need 1 year of work experience, but you don't need any formal education.To become a certified baker, you need to have at least 4 years of work experience, along with 30 hours of professional development training and 30 Hours of Sanitation courses.
Step 6: It's important to be detail-oriented.
Even if you are working as a commercial baker, you need to be detail-oriented.To make sure that your baked goods don't burn, you'll need to closely monitor them.You need to have an eye for detail in order to decorate cupcakes and cakes.You will need an eye for detail in order to follow recipes and cooking instructions to perfection, or to adjust them if you are trying out something slightly different.If you are taking orders from customers, you need an eye for detail.
Step 7: Be imaginative.
You may think that creativity is the last skill you need when it comes to being a baker, but you may need to use your creative faculties to succeed in your career.If you work as a craft baker and create your own recipes, you may need your creativity to try something different in order to keep your customers interested in your goods.If you want to fix a recipe where something has already gone wrong, or if you need to cook a baked good without a certain ingredient, you may need your creativity.You will need your creativity to make things work, and it is the most important part of your job.If you don't work for yourself, you should not spend all day experimenting or your boss will be unhappy.Being creative can lead to some of your best discoveries if you have the means.
Step 8: Have good people skills.
You might think that bakers work alone as they make delicious treats.People skills are important for bakers.If you work in a retail store where you have to interact with customers, you will need to have people skills in order to talk to them, take their orders, and keep them happy with your store and your products.You may even own your own bakery as you move further along in your career.You will definitely need those people skills if that is the case.It is likely that you will be baking with several other bakers even if you don't have anyone working for you.Being able to get along with your coworkers will make your work easier and more enjoyable.
Step 9: Have good basic math skills.
If you want to be a great baker, you will need a strong grasp of basic math, especially fractions, in order to mix recipes, weigh your ingredients, or adjust your recipes to fit a given quantity.It is important to brush up on basic math on your own if you did not get formal math training in a high school or certification program.You don't want to ruin a recipe if you have the skills to make it.Don't worry if you were never an ace at math.To make delicious baked goods, you don't need to know a lot of math.You should know how to add, subtract, and multiply numbers.
Step 10: Get up early.
Many bakers work 40 hours a week, but don't usually work the 9-5 shift.Many of them get up as early as two o'clock in the morning to prepare their baked goods.Sleeping in or getting tired in the morning is not an option because this will be the most important time of the day.If you want to become a baker, you need to be prepared to get up early, mix your ingredients, and make sure that your baked goods are perfect.Since your working day will start early, it will end earlier than the evening.Baking is done by the early or late afternoon.
Step 11: You have to complete your daily tasks.
Being a baker is more than just cooking.Depending on the type of baker you are and your place of employment, you will be required to complete a number of tasks.Many aspects of the job are true for a baker.Prepare your equipment for baking weigh and measure ingredients for cooking Combine the ingredients in mixers or blenders Knead, roll, cut, and shape your dough Place the shaped dough on sheets, molds, or pans
Step 12: Under pressure, perform well.
Baking is very time-sensitive, both in managing the time it takes to make each baked good, and in delivering your products to customers in a timely manner.Many bakers are under pressure to create delicious goods while also producing them quickly, especially when they have a large customer base.You need to be able to perform well in a time crunch in order to succeed as a baker.It is possible to perform well in a time crunch if you organize your work station and recipe information.You won't waste time looking for something you misplace.The heavy and often hot equipment that bakers work with has a higher rate of injuries than other professions.You need to keep your cool while on the job and wear protective clothing.It's possible to let a time crunch affect your safety.
Step 13: Stay active.
In order to be a baker, you must have both strength and endurance.Heavy bags of flour, large baking equipment, and cooked baked goods will require strength in order to be carried.Most bakers rarely sit down.You will spend most of the day on your feet, as you prepare recipes, package your goods, check your employees, or chat with customers.Being physically fit is important to the job.It is important that you get your exercise and eat well in order to be prepared for the job.
Step 14: Prepare for a unique schedule.
Many bakers have a work schedule that is different from typical.Many bakers will be expected to work on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or other holidays when people order more baked goods.They may be required to work more on weekends since bakeries are often at their busiest during these times.They may be required to work late in the evenings and on weekends if they work at a bakery that bakes continuously.It does not mean that bakers work more hours than the average employee, but they work different hours.In 2012 1 in 3 bakers worked part-time.