4 answers
Taryn
Student
Palatine, Illinois
12
Questions
Asked
1081 views
How did you go about becoming a baker?
When did you realize baking was for you and do you enjoy the work? I am interested in the baking field but I would like some more info on it
#baking #career-choice
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4 answers
Michelle Wu
business
1
Answer
Pasadena, California
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi Taryn,
I bake as a hobby, and considered it as a profession before taking a different path. Here are a few things to consider:
1) What is it about baking that you enjoy? Would you enjoy doing it over and over again?
2) Consider the skills required. For example, cake decorating requires artistry and creativity. Do you enjoy this?
3) Consider the lifestyle required. Depending on what you would specialize in, would you start early in the morning? Would you bake for special events (usually nights and weekends)?
Many culinary schools have official blogs and/or bakers who have written about their experience. Here are a few examples https://www.allculinaryschools.com/baking-pastry/pastry-chef-interview/
https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-work-in-a-bakery-2019-3
To learn more, try to find a baker to shadow. There are formal, usually unpaid, internships called a "stage" where you can apprentice with a baker, but you may also find a bakery willing to let you come in and observe or help out informally.
In many states, there are also Cottage Food Laws which allow home bakers and chefs to sell what they make. You could search for a local cottage food baker and see if they would let you help/observe. You could even start your own cottage food operation to see if it might be something you would be interested in doing as a career.
(Note: The last two options might be challenging during the current covid social distancing, but maybe worth exploring when it is safer...)
I bake as a hobby, and considered it as a profession before taking a different path. Here are a few things to consider:
1) What is it about baking that you enjoy? Would you enjoy doing it over and over again?
2) Consider the skills required. For example, cake decorating requires artistry and creativity. Do you enjoy this?
3) Consider the lifestyle required. Depending on what you would specialize in, would you start early in the morning? Would you bake for special events (usually nights and weekends)?
Many culinary schools have official blogs and/or bakers who have written about their experience. Here are a few examples https://www.allculinaryschools.com/baking-pastry/pastry-chef-interview/
https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-work-in-a-bakery-2019-3
To learn more, try to find a baker to shadow. There are formal, usually unpaid, internships called a "stage" where you can apprentice with a baker, but you may also find a bakery willing to let you come in and observe or help out informally.
In many states, there are also Cottage Food Laws which allow home bakers and chefs to sell what they make. You could search for a local cottage food baker and see if they would let you help/observe. You could even start your own cottage food operation to see if it might be something you would be interested in doing as a career.
(Note: The last two options might be challenging during the current covid social distancing, but maybe worth exploring when it is safer...)
Thank you very much for the reply, I don’t really know how to shadow a baker but I will look into it. I never knew the Cottage Food Law was a thing but it sounds very nice.
Taryn
Lee Ricks
Chef
1
Answer
Washington, Washington
Updated
Lee’s Answer
It starts with passion. There are physical ways like schools and apprenticeships, but it truly comes from within. The title of Baker is just that. A title. If it is what you live to do and its more like an enjoyable hobby than just a check than yhe profit will come. Now you can go to school, loomupmthingsbon YouTube, or go on a family recipe book. But if you don't love it than you will not be successful. Its its mentality tough. And the hours suck especially around the holidays. Tbats why you have to love it. When we are working everyone is off. Also master the basics. Once you get those down to a science that's when you start adding yourself to your products. Find your signature. Find your thing that comes the easiest and focus on that, but don't cut yourself off from everything else. I hope this helps!
Wade Stokes
Vice President
5
Answers
Federal Way, Washington
Updated
Wade’s Answer
Hi Taryn! Michelle has given some great advice and recommendations. As a Culinary Arts graduate I can tell you that baking takes a very special type of person and it's not necessary for every culinarian. Someone who is very exacting (measurements are key and critical) and depending on where you may end up in your baking career, bakers typically start in the middle of the night (actually early morning anywhere from 2:00 AM - 4:00 AM) so hopefully you're a morning person :-) However I will say that bakery products tend to be the most impactful and memorable items of someone's culinary experience (eating out or attending a special event) so a baker can really make an impact to someone's overall experience. Good luck!
Thank you very much for the reply, I am a bit stressed about if I would be a good baker but I can do measurements and I do enjoy baking so I hope I am a special enough person to be good at a baking job.
Taryn
Cindie Horton
Sr. Manager - Data Privacy
29
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Cindie’s Answer
Hi Taryn.
I'm not a baker by profession, but I have been a "baker" in my younger years for Dunkin' Donuts. To Wade's point, even at Dunkin' Donuts where the mixes are all pre-measured, you still have to add the right amount of water and whatnot to get the best dough. I started at Dunkin' Donuts as a counter-person, taking orders, but I noticed the difference in quality of the doughnuts and pastries varied from baker to baker. After watching the bakers, I also discerned that they probably made more money than I did waiting the counter, so I asked to be trained to bake. The owner of the business wasn't too keen as he knew the physical requirements of the job...lifting heavy mixing bowls, being around fryers, and so forth, but he relented and I was trained. I enjoyed it a lot for a number of reasons...making an attractive product that people got joy from consuming, meeting production, being efficient, and so forth, and, of course, making more money than I had been making as a counter-person.
So I know you probably don't aspire to be a Dunkin' Donuts baker, but you could start there to see if you like the baking life. One thing I'd encourage you to do is to consider business school at some point in your plans. You could always strike out on your own one day as a business owner, and a business degree could help you understand how to manage your business (e.g. employees, financing, accounting, marketing) and all that. If you really enjoy baking, you could one day have several stores or franchise your business leading to good income potential. In fact, Dunkin' Donuts is a franchise and many people have made good money being franchise owners.
Whatever direction you pursue, do consider your income potential. One day you will likely have rent or a house payment, car payment, kids, want to take vacations/travel, etc., etc. It does take money to have these things, and you'll want to choose a profession with income potential that will help you to have the lifestyle you desire.
Wishing you all the best in all that you do!
Sincerely,
Cindie
Estimate what your living expenses will be.
Research how much bakers make.
Read this article, "How to Become a Baker: School, Training & Salary": https://www.learnu.org/how-to-become-a-baker/
I'm not a baker by profession, but I have been a "baker" in my younger years for Dunkin' Donuts. To Wade's point, even at Dunkin' Donuts where the mixes are all pre-measured, you still have to add the right amount of water and whatnot to get the best dough. I started at Dunkin' Donuts as a counter-person, taking orders, but I noticed the difference in quality of the doughnuts and pastries varied from baker to baker. After watching the bakers, I also discerned that they probably made more money than I did waiting the counter, so I asked to be trained to bake. The owner of the business wasn't too keen as he knew the physical requirements of the job...lifting heavy mixing bowls, being around fryers, and so forth, but he relented and I was trained. I enjoyed it a lot for a number of reasons...making an attractive product that people got joy from consuming, meeting production, being efficient, and so forth, and, of course, making more money than I had been making as a counter-person.
So I know you probably don't aspire to be a Dunkin' Donuts baker, but you could start there to see if you like the baking life. One thing I'd encourage you to do is to consider business school at some point in your plans. You could always strike out on your own one day as a business owner, and a business degree could help you understand how to manage your business (e.g. employees, financing, accounting, marketing) and all that. If you really enjoy baking, you could one day have several stores or franchise your business leading to good income potential. In fact, Dunkin' Donuts is a franchise and many people have made good money being franchise owners.
Whatever direction you pursue, do consider your income potential. One day you will likely have rent or a house payment, car payment, kids, want to take vacations/travel, etc., etc. It does take money to have these things, and you'll want to choose a profession with income potential that will help you to have the lifestyle you desire.
Wishing you all the best in all that you do!
Sincerely,
Cindie
Cindie recommends the following next steps: