Know the Facts Before You Become a Bakery Chef

Working in a bakery requires a lot of patience, skill, and creativity. It can also be very fulfilling – literally. A bakery chef and/or baker must have a basic understanding of nutrition, temperature, and how to blend different types of ingredients together. They are responsible for shaping and styling breads and desserts, while creating different types of sauces, fillings, creams and jellies.

Training

Professional bakers usually start their careers as an assistant or an apprentice. Most employers look for bakers who have at least three to four years of hands-of work experience.

Raspberry Cakes.

Certification

Diplomas

If you have no work experience you may want to look into a baking and pastry Arts diploma, available at culinary schools, chef colleges, trade/technical schools, and some colleges/universities.

Degrees

A degree is a great option for those with no prior experience, because most programs include an externship which could help find students employment after graduation. A bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry arts takes four years to complete, and is generally more expensive than an associate’s degree, which takes one to two years to complete.

Jobs

Professional bakers could find jobs working for any of the following:

  • Independently owned businesses
  • Commercially owned businesses
  • School cafeterias
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Supermarkets
  • Government institutions
  • Grocery stores
  • Cafes
  • Delis

Salaries

On average professional bakers can earn between $20,000 and $70,000 a year depending on the size of the business and the level of expertise. Bakers who work for schools or government institutions tend to make more money.


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10 Responses to “Know the Facts Before You Become a Bakery Chef”

  1. Terencia pereira Says:

    Hi,
    My name is Terencia AND i am a hotel Management student and i have just appeared my 3rd year final exames .I curiously want to become an bakery chef and i am looking out for the QUALITIES & KNOWKEDGE BASE a bakery chef should have ,and also WHAT All KNOWLEDGE AN FRESHER SHOULD HAVE ABOUT THIS FIELD WHILE APPEARING FOR INTERVIEWS.

  2. Glenn Says:

    Looking for Pastry Chef program in the Northern Virginia area. Any suggestions?

  3. Mei Says:

    Hi,
    I am a international student,but I want to be a bakry chef.How can I do? DO some school accept the international student?

  4. Guadalupe Ramirez Says:

    I want to be professional bakery chef how can i??

  5. priya mehta Says:

    Hi i am 37 yrs old & want to have a career as a bakery chef, i want to join a coarse first & then work as an intern for a few years, is that possible at my age? is age a criteria in this field…please let me know ..

  6. shunikwa Says:

    i want to be a bakery chef but i think it might be to creative for me? is it all creative designing cakes and etc because i dont want it to be too creative as i am not.

  7. Kanika Says:

    I am 17 years old and in 12th std. I like baking (mainly desserts). I don’t know how to proceed after my schooling.Please give me some direction.

  8. mugunthandoss Says:

    l am in baker like this job

  9. Anushka Says:

    I gave my 12th board exam and now i am studying from IHM basically i am a hotel management student and i really want to become a confectionary and pateserry chef. but my question is, is there any necesary to have a degree and then i can apply for this job? or else drectly i can apply for this job aftr my 12th? give me some good suggestions. thankyou

  10. Dominique Says:

    hi i wanted to do pastry school. email me at Dominiquecoleman12@gmail.com please email me

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