Baker
On this page
- What's it like to be a Baker?
- How to become a Baker
- Latest Baker jobs
- Top skills and experience for Bakers
- Is Baker the right role for you?
- Baker role reviews
What's it like to be a Baker?
Bakers (Kaitunu Parāoa) prepare and decorate bread, cakes, cookies, pies and other similar foods in a commercial kitchen setting. They may work in a bakery, restaurant, supermarket, factory, or another hospitality setting such as a hotel or a cruise ship. Unlike some other food settings, where meals are made after a customer places an order, Bakers typically need to complete large orders before they’re put up for sale. This means that Bakers often work early in the morning or through the night, to prepare large batches of goods in advance. Bakers must follow food safety and hygiene regulations, follow recipes, and have good all-round knowledge of different aspects of baking and food preparation.
Tasks and duties
- Preparing, mixing, cutting and shaping dough ready for baking.
- Preparing sweet and savoury pastry and dough fillings, rolling out pastry and creating a variety of baked goods.
- Monitoring proving, cooking and cooling times, in addition to ensuring the appearance of items is consistent.
How to become a Baker
You don’t need formal qualifications to work as a Baker, but a certificate may be helpful.
Get on-the-job training at a bakery, factory, or other business requiring Bakers. You won’t always need any training or qualifications to get an entry-level job.
Alternatively, consider completing a Certificate in Baking (Level 4) before looking for a job. This certificate can be done in various specialisations, including generalist, craft and patisserie.
You could also complete an apprenticeship in baking while working as a Baker. Apprenticeships have the benefit of allowing you to earn a wage and get on-the-job training while learning to be a Baker.
