Baking is one of the oldest professions in the world.It is a innovative culinary technique requiring an oven to cook food through dry heat.It needs thorough understanding of cooking techniques and following recipes to a tee.Baking as a profession is becoming very popular as people love eating cakes and an assortment of bakery products.The profession is a combination of both art and science.This career requires creativity,passion and commitment.People with an interest in cooking,artistic skill and are social in nature can pursue this profession.But being a baker is a tough job which involves the following chores-
Checking the production schedule
Determining the variety and quantity of products to be baked on the particular day
Ensuring food,safety guidelines and checking the freshness and quality
Preparing recipes according to ingredients
Rolling and shaping the dough into the final product
Observing the products as they bake for colour and shape,selecting the icings etc
Education Required:
No formal education is required but a little training in baking,icing and decorating is required
One can enrol in bakery and confectionery courses offered by hotel management institutes
They offer certificate,diploma and degree courses
Admission to 3 year hotel management course is through joint entrance exam(IHM)
There are vocational training institutes too
One can apply after 10th / 12th.
Skills required:
Good numeric skills for measuring ingredients,ordering supplies
Awareness of safety and hygiene regulations
Excellent physical strength and stamina to stand for long hours
Good teamwork,excellent organizational and communication skills
Hardworking
Job Prospects:
Lot of demand for good bakers overseas
Work as apprentices or on-the-job trainee at commercial bakeries
Bakers can specialize in
Bread chef
Cake stylist
Dessert specialist
Confectionary baker
Artisan bread specialist etc
Pay Scale:
Starting is 10,000 -13,000/month
Experienced 35,000-50,000/month
Home bakers-8000-15000/month
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