Baker
On this page
- What's it like to be a Baker?
- How to become a Baker
- Latest Baker jobs
- Top skills and experience for Bakers
What's it like to be a Baker?
Bakers create or follow recipes to produce a range of baked goods including pastries, bread, cakes and savoury goods. They measure out ingredients, follow recipes, compute baking times, manage inventory, and ensure consistent product quality from taste and texture to appearance. Bakers may own their own business or may work in food service establishments, such as restaurants, bakeries, and hotels.
Tasks and duties
- Organising and measuring ingredients required for baking recipes.
- Ensuring the ample supply of ingredients and supplies.
- Maintaining baking tools and equipment.
- Baking and decorating finished products.
- Assisting in recipe development and upgrading.
- Following food preparation guidelines.
Because they directly handle food, Bakers need to be knowledgeable in food safety guidelines. They must keep their hands clean at all times, and wear aprons, hairnets and gloves. They are also in charge of cleaning and sanitising their work stations and equipment, and storing ingredients.
How to become a Baker
You can work as a Baker without a bachelor degree. Practical skills and experience are highly valued by hirers.
- 1.
Take culinary classes. A bachelor degree is not necessary in becoming a Baker. However, you will need to at least finish a GCE-N or O educational level. Take technical classes in culinary to add to your knowledge as well.
- 2.
Get work experience, which is a valuable asset when you are a Baker. To gain professional competence, secure internships where you can practise your baking skills. Entry-level roles such as Baking Assistant can equip you with practical kitchen basics and logistics.
- 3.
Choose your specialisation. Baking is divided into fields of expertise such as pastries, bread, cakes, and savoury goods. Each area requires specific skills and knowledge. Try mastering one or two to boost your marketability.
- 4.
With experience, you can move on to managing your own food business or being a Head Baker or Head Pastry Chef.