Bakers
Overview
Bakers create delicious breads, pastries, and other baked goods by carefully measuring and mixing ingredients according to recipes. They prepare workstations, use commercial mixers and blenders to combine ingredients, then knead, roll, and shape dough into various forms. Using precise oven temperature control and timing, they monitor the baking process to ensure perfect results. This creative career combines culinary arts with food science, and many bakers work in collaborative environments like bakeries, restaurants, or even start their own businesses.
Did you know?
Most American employers prefer pastry chefs with formal training from accredited culinary schools or extensive apprenticeship experience in professional kitchens.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$35,622.75 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Reading Comprehension
Key Responsibilities
- Roll, knead, cut, or shape dough to form sweet rolls, pie crusts, tarts, cookies, or other products.
- Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.
- Operate slicing or wrapping machines.
- Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
- Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
- Order or receive supplies or equipment.
- Apply glazes, icings, or other toppings to baked goods, using spatulas or brushes.
- Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
- Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
- Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
- Develop new recipes for baked goods.
- Decorate baked goods, such as cakes or pastries.
- Prepare or maintain inventory or production records.
- Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
- Direct or coordinate bakery deliveries.
- Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
Career Considerations
Formal Culinary Education Requirements
Most American employers prefer pastry chefs with formal training from accredited culinary schools or extensive apprenticeship experience in professional kitchens.
Physically Demanding Work Environment
The role requires long hours standing in hot kitchens, early morning shifts, and physically intensive tasks including lifting heavy equipment and ingredients.
Diverse Career Path Opportunities
The American market offers various specialization options including restaurants, hotels, independent bakeries, wedding cake design, and entrepreneurial ventures.