Baker as a profession is in more demand than its superior cousin Chef, whether in Hotels, Restaurants, or at Bakery. These professionals are highly skilled and innovative. Prospects of a specialized Baker are very good in today’s world where every auspicious occasion is customized to be started with a Cake whether it is a small birthday party or a marriage reception. There are lots of options to travel overseas and earn money in terms of foreign currency.
But all this is not as simple as it seems to be. Being a baker is a lot more than just knowing how to bake bread. Bakery and confectionery as a career is both an art and a science. A baker makes various kinds of loaves, bread rolls, croissants, buns, pastries, cakes, and savories by adding his own innovation to his basic knowledge of baking. In terms of qualities, this industry calls for lots of commitment and passion, besides a lot of creativity.
As a Baker one has to work very long hours and be prepared for hard work because it is a job that required a hundred percent commitment to progress. To survive in this industry the main attribute required from the aspirants are that they should have a well-developed sense of taste and smell which allows them to explore bold new flavor combinations and make them work. The ability to experiment and be creative is another essential that will enable you to leave your mark on the baked dishes you create.
To discharge his duties with utmost efficiency a Baker should have the requisite basic knowledge concerned with this field. For this, there are specific short-term and long-term integrated courses available that one has to undergo.
Baker Eligibility
Educational Qualification
The eligibility for admission to the Bakery course at the undergraduate level is a higher secondary examination pass irrespective of the stream and the percentage of marks obtained at this level.
Baker Required Skills
- Bakers should have a passion for food; good number skills for measuring ingredients, ordering supplies, and working out cooking times.
- They also possess practical baking skills; creativity for developing new products or decorating confectionery.
- They should have the ability to work under pressure; good organizational skills; an awareness of safety and hygiene regulations.
- They also possess a reasonable level of physical fitness for lifting and carrying heavy trays and sacks of flour and good teamwork skills.
How to Become a Baker?
To become a Baker one has to follow the below-given steps:
Step 1
After completing +2 in any stream Interested candidate has to join some related Diploma of Degree courses. They may have to appear in an entrance test conducted by Ministry of Tourism-run institutions across India or opt for a good private organization or international institution.
These exams are usually held in the month of May-June and consist of Objective type questions based on the relevant subjects the results of these exams are generally out by June/Jul
However, some colleges also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying class
Some of the related courses are:
- B.A Culinary Arts
- BCT & CA i.e., Bachelor of Catering Technology and Culinary Arts
- B.Sc Catering and Culinary
- Diploma and PG Diploma in Culinary Arts
- Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
- Chef Certification Course
- Certificate in Culinary
Step 2
After completing any of these courses one can also opt for some specialized Certificate courses in bakery and confectionery.
The aspirants can also skip step 1 i.e. they may not join a three or four-year course if they specifically join the Bakery or confectionary field. Then can join Short term Diploma or certificate courses in Bakeries offered by many institutes throughout the world to get the requisite basic qualification to excel in this field.
Some of the institutes providing these and other related courses are:
- Culinary Academy of India, Hyderabad
- Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa New Delhi
- Merit Swiss Asian School of Hotel Management, Ooty
- International Institute of Culinary Arts, New Delhi
Baker Job Description
Bakers work in various establishments producing bakery items like kitchens in restaurants, grocery stores dealing in bakery items, and specific bakeries. Some bakers work in big multinational companies manufacturing large quantities of baked goods. Whether working in a small bakery or a multinational company bakers have to perform more or less similar tasks of varying magnitude.
Like they check the production schedule to determine the variety and quantity of goods to be based on a particular, measure various input ingredients according to the recipes, and observe products as they bake for color, shapes, etc. They are also responsible for selecting icing, and toppings of the products. Thus they remain at the helm of the affairs from the very start to the time the product is ready for service or delivery. They are the ones responsible for selecting the equipment as well as technology to be used in the production process.
Baker Career Prospects
Enormous employment opportunities are available in this field. One can go for his own Bakery and confectionary shop/Business as demand for these goods has been ever increasing with every passing day. If you are looking for a salaried job instead of starting your own bakery, you can get lucrative jobs both in India and abroad as chefs in the stream of bakery and confectionery. In India, experienced professionals can get jobs in Taj Bengal, ITC, Trident, and other starred hotels. Abroad they can join in various cruise lines - Miami Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Apollo Cruise Line.
The hierarchy of posts in bakery and confectionery are as follows:
- Chef
- CDP and
- Commi 1.
Baker Salary Prospects
In India, the starting salary for the Baker on average is Rs. 20,000 per month whereas abroad it is $ 1000. However, experienced bakers can expect as good as Rs. 40,000 per month depending upon the organization they are working in and their own capabilities and creative skills in the field.
