Baker Job Description
The job of a Baker involves making breads, pastries, cakes and other types of baked goods. The job description may vary depending on the size of a company. For instance, small, family-owned bakeries would require a baker to create all types of baked goods from pies to cakes to breads, while those working in hotels and restaurants may specialize in a certain type of food, such as hot-bread bakers or pie bakers.
Education/Experience Requirements for the job of a Baker: A successful candidate must possess baking experience. Small bakeries usually don’t have a set of education requirements, but larger industries may require a degree in culinary or short courses in pie making, cake decoration, bread baking or any similar field. Experience is generally obtained through hands-on training. Pastry chefs, on the other hand, must obtain classroom training, teaching experience and several years of baking experience in a relevant setting.
Skills of a Baker include but are not limited to: Knowledge in a wide range of ingredients, baking equipments and techniques, good planning and budgeting skills, and extensive knowledge in precautionary measures for possible health hazards. He/she must also patient, detail-oriented, creative, organized and be able to work well independently and as part of a team. Bakers must also work effectively under pressure, under conditions of high temperatures and long hours standing.
Specific work elements of the job as a Baker include but are not limited to: Preparing ingredients for biscuits, cakes, breads, rolls, muffins, pies and other baked goods based on recipes; mixing quality ingredients to form dough and batter; using baking equipments properly; adjusting oven settings; and supervising bakery staff, among others.
