A Closer Look at a Career as a Baker
A lot of people can’t take their coffee in the morning without a pastry or two on hand—be it a cookie, a croissant, or a muffin. And just as there are as many coffee shops in the country, there will be as many bakers as well. There is no doubt that bakers will remain one of the most in-demand careers in Canada.
Furthermore, the popularity of shows like the Great Canadian Baking Show is testament to the fact that a career as a baker can ultimately be a promising and exciting one. If you are looking into going this direction, you have to know though that it does take a lot more to succeed in the baking industry than knowing how to spread butter icing on pastries…
Bakers – What You Need to Know
The main job of bakers is to prepare the baked goods that the establishment offers to customers. For those who work in regular coffee shops or bakery, they are responsible for the typical fare like doughnuts, muffins, cookies, croissants, and others. For those who work in specialty coffee shops or restaurants, they are responsible for preparing items that are more specialized like artisan baked goods or specialty desserts.
Salary
According to PayScale.com, a baker can earn an average of $22,519 to $44,702 a year.
Skills
To become a baker, training in the culinary arts will be an advantage as some establishments do have this as a pre-requisite for hiring. This will allow them to learn not just about baking essentials and techniques but also about nutrition and food safety. They can further their knowledge by joining an apprenticeship program or any on-the-job training.
Apart from formal training and the baking know-how, bakers are recommended to be in excellent physical form since they should be able to work well in the kitchen, operate the oven efficiently, and withstand fairly warm temperatures. Sometimes, they are also responsible for loading and unloading baking supplies. Apart from good physical condition, mental alertness is a must. They should have quick thinking skills and attention to detail as they have to always be on their feet to check the progress of their baked goods.
Bakers can either work under the management of an establishment or work under their own bakery business. Some are referred to as production bakers, and these are those who work in manufacturing facilities that make breads, pastries, and other baked products for distribution in larger establishments like supermarkets or superstores. Whichever the case may be, bakers should have collaborative skills and be able to work harmoniously with others, as well as customer service strengths in order to deal well with customers.
Pros and Cons
A career in baking will be rewarding one for those who have a passion for baking or cooking. As bakers, they can also maximize their creative potential as they may be asked to create their own signature pastries.
However, it’s not all icing on the cake though as being a baker means working mostly in early morning shifts or late evening shifts under quality-monitored environment and strict deadlines. It can also be a physically strenuous job as they are required to stand most of their working hours and have to work with equipment with safety risks such as ovens, mixing machines, and dough cutters. To ensure safety in the workplace, they must always be alert and follow the required safety procedures.
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