What does a baker do?
Bakers are responsible for the daily creation of mouthwatering baked goods sold in bakeries, cafes and supermarkets. Depending on the scale of a bakers production, you could work in a commercial factory setting, within a bakery chain or at a small, privately owned cafe. Getting an early start is part of a baker’s life, if early mornings aren’t your thing then this may not be the profession for you. Daily duties in a bakery include mixing dough, rolling sheets of pastry, preparing sweet and savoury pastry fillings, decorating pastries and cakes and serving customers.
Tasks:
- Preparing doughs, pastries and fillings
- Filling tins, trays and moulds for cooking
- Monitoring proving, cooking and cooling times
- Ensure food safety guidelines are met
What skills do I need to be a baker?
Kitchens are often renowned for being stressful environments that require quick thinking and a certain degree of physical stamina. Being a baker may require you to work shift work, night work or start at very early times in the morning. A baker will also need to be physically fit enough to be able to stand all day, as a large portion of the job requires physical interaction with ingredients and kitchen machinery. Attention to detail is important, as baking (particularly at a large scale) requires precise measurements and timing.
- Enjoys cooking
- Physically fit
- Enjoys shift work and early starts
- Attention to detail
Specialisations
There are a number of career paths in the culinary world, each of which require their own particular experience levels and qualifications. You can choose a specialisation that appeals to your strengths, interests and career goals.
Chef
Kitchen Hand
Pastry cook
Study pathways for bakers
There are a number of courses available for you if you are considering a career as a baker. You can choose a course that meets your particular career needs.
Getting Started
Choose a relevant course to get you started on a career in the food industry
Skill Building
Get closer to your baking career goals with targeted study options
Professional Development
Learn hands-on skills relevant to work in a commercial kitchen
Industry Recognition
In order to work in a commercial kitchen, you’ll need to know the basics of food safety procedures and workplace safety guidelines for kitchens.
Getting a job after graduation
Put your training to good use and get the best professional head start in your food industry career. Emphasise your personal strengths and achievements in your resume and target your cover letter to the job description listed.