Career as a Baker

“If the aroma of a freshly baked focaccia or the sight of an oozing chocolate fondue make you want to pick up a whisk, spatula and mixing bowl, then pursuing a career in bakery, pastry and confectionery may be the way to go”, says Nawaz Irani

One often hears that baking is an art and a science; its art lies in the indispensable creativity, imagination and skill; while the knowledge of how ingredients react, the preciseness of measurements and methods make it a science. Foods which indulge ones sweet cravings are all about the ultimate feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that one is deriving from them. If you add a pinch of proactiveness, a large spoonful of patience and a cupful of perseverance to your pot of boiling passion, you will have the recipe for bakery success.

Bakers are usually classified into three types

Plant Bakers: Plant bakers manufacture large quantities of baked goods using machinery such as mixers and ovens. They produce baked goods for shops, supermarkets and other large customers.

In-store Bakers: In-store bakers work in a retail store and produce bread and baked goods using automated machinery. They are also likely to be trained in baking craft skills.

Craft Bakers: A craft baker may specialize in a certain type of bread or baking process. Craft baker creates a smaller amount of products for consumers. They do much of the work by hand. They are usually employed by a small-scale, independent bakery or a restaurant kitchen

Within the baking industry, there are different career paths and environments. A baker can specialize in the culinary area of their interest and can become a:

Ø  Bread chef

Ø  Cake stylists

Ø  Patisserie / Dessert specialist

Ø  Artisan bread specialist

Ø  Confectionery baker

Ø  Institutional and cafeteria baker, etc.

Courses

Certificate

Ø  Craft Course in Bakery and Confectionery (CCBC)

Ø  Certificate Course in Bakery and Confectionery

Ø  Certificate Course in Food Production and Patisserie

Ø  Advance Certificate Course in Bakery and Confectionery

Ø  Advance Diploma in Culinary Arts and Patisserie Studies

Diploma

Ø  Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery (DBC)

Ø  Diploma in Bakery Technology and Management

Ø  Diploma in Culinary Arts and Patisserie

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Bakery Science and Management

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Bakery Science and Technology

Admission Criteria

Ø   Admission to the 3 year hotel management degree program in any recognized Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in the country is through a Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) conducted by National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT). 10+2 or equivalent in any stream is the minimum qualification required to appear in this exam. Aspirants can go through this channel, and after completing their degree, they can opt for some specialized Certificate course in bakery and confectionary. There are several private colleges that provide admission on the basis of the marks obtained in 12th standard.

Ø  One can also make a career in the baking field by joining short term certificate or diploma courses in bakery and confectionary. The duration of these courses may vary from 4 to 6 months and students who have completed their class 10th are eligible. There are vocational training schools providing training programs such as vocational Diploma (DEP) in bakery and pastry making, vocational specialization (AVS) in restaurant pastrymaking, etc.

Training Institutes

Ø  Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts,Banglore.

Ø  Assocom Institute of Bakery Technology & Management (AIBTM), Greater Noida,U.P.

Ø  Culinary Academy of India, Hyderabad.

Ø  Academy of Pastry Arts, Gurugram, Haryana.

Ø  Institute of Baking and Cake Art, Banglore.

Ø  International Institute Of Culinary Arts, New Delhi - IICA, New Delhi.

Ø  Barry Callebaut India Private Limited, Mumbai.

Ø  Artisans Institute Of Baking, Chennai.

Pay Scale

Remuneration in baking field mainly depends on experience, qualification, business segment and location. In India, the average starting salary of a baker is ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 13,000 per month. Experienced and renowned personnel can make anywhere between ₹ 35,000 to ₹ 50,000. Home bakers can earn anything between ₹ 8,000 to ₹ 15,000 per month. Successful entrepreneurs who have their own bakery can make profits of about ₹ 2 lakh to ₹ 3 lakh in the busiest season.