If you want to join the food processing occupation, becoming a baker can be good career option. As a baker, you would be responsible for preparing breads, cakes, pies, cookies etc. Making a career in this field is not as tough as people think. After completing your high school diploma or GED, you can plan to get enrolled in a culinary school to learn the art of baking. There are several culinary schools that offer courses and degree programs in the art of baking. Given below is some essential career information to help you become a baker.

 

Job Description
The main job responsibility of bakers is to process raw products into finished baked items. They work to produce a wide variety of bakery items. Bakers who are employed in manufacturing unites are well trained to develop their own recipes and procedure. Finished baked products are sold through grocery stores, wholesalers, food service establishments etc.

 

Bakers work according to a baking production schedule, on an everyday basis. Depending on the recipe they want to produce, bakers are responsible for measuring the right amount of ingredients and mixing them in the correct proportion. They are well trained to work with large mixing machine bowls for making dough and batter. After they have prepared dough, batter and fillings, they roll them into different shapes for producing finished bakery products.

 

They also cut fruits required for making pastry or using as pie fillings. They are responsible for monitoring the entire procedure of baking. They set the correct temperature and time of the oven for producing best quality finished baked products. Once the baking is over, they also add a variety of toppings to these bakery items. In addition, bakers also ensure that appropriate safety and health guidelines are followed throughout the entire procedure of baking and creating final products.

 

Educational Qualification & Training
At least a high school diploma is required to step into this food processing occupation. There are various culinary arts schools and professional schools that offer courses in baking. Culinary courses train candidates in areas like food preparation, menu planning, food selection and food storage. Some of the professional schools also offer specialty training in the baking of specific items like gourmet breads and pastries among others. Most of the bakers learn the art and science of baking by working under the tutelage of an experienced professional.

 

Though certification is not necessary required, acquiring one will enhance the career prospects for candidates. Baker certification in the US can be obtained from the Retail Bakers of America (RBA). The RBA provides certification in key areas including management, retail sales, baking sanitation and staff training.

 

Job Characteristics
Apart from completing the required culinary training, candidates should also possess some essential job skills to make the most of their baking career. These include great precision, capability to follow the provided instructions (orally or written), a keen sense for taste and smell, ability to measure ingredients appropriately, dexterity etc. To work well in a team, candidates should also have excellent team playing and interpersonal skills. Physical stamina is also needed, as bakers spend most of their time standing.

 

Employment Prospects
There is a growing demand for bakers, as the number of traditional bakeries, specialty shops and stores continually increases. Abundant employment opportunities await candidates that have relevant educational qualification and work experience. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an employment growth of 10% in this occupation. Bakers can find employment opportunities in bakery departments, hotels, restaurants, cake shops, hot bread shops, cafeterias and bakery item manufacturing companies.

 

Annual Salary
Salaries of bakers will vary depending on their work experience, geographic location and the type and size of the employer. The average median annual salary of a baker is $21,330. Professionals can earn a higher salary as they grow in skills and experience.

Have you ever wanted to make a culinary career as a ‘station chef' or a ‘line cook'? Well, these are terms a chef de partie is also referred to as. The food service industry has to offer plenty of career possibilities for candidates who have a strong passion for cooking and are prepared to stand the kitchen heat. There's no doubt that the cooking industry features a fast-paced work environment. However, this challenging profession brings you a much rewarding career. If you want to prepare yourself to become a chef de partie or a station chef, you need to know the job description for this job position, educational requirements, job skills and career prospects. Below, we discuss about it all to help you become successful in this occupation of culinary arts.

 

Job Description
The chef is referred to as station chef due to the fact that they handle a specific area or ‘station' of the kitchen. High-end restaurants and large kitchens have multiple sections. A chef de partie specialize in the handling of one of these sections. Usually there are one or two chefs responsible for handling kitchen activities in a particular section. In case there are more chef de parties, they are referred to as chef #1, chef #2 etc.

 

In a specific kitchen section, the chef de partie has the responsibility of overseeing tasks including food preparation, cooking and presentation of food recipes. Apart from food preparation, they supervise and delegate tasks to other chefs working in a special area of the kitchen. Therefore, the job of a chef de partie does not only require great food preparation skills, but it also requires experience in handling administrative responsibilities.

 

One of the most important job duties of a chef de partie is to ensure that the food quality and the food safety standards are maintained appropriately. In addition, they are well versed with looking after several issues that may arise in the kitchen area.

 

Specialization Areas
The Chef de partie is responsible for handling any of the many kitchen stations. Large kitchens are divided into many ‘stations'. These specialization stations include a saute chef, a grill chef (Rotisseur), a pantry chef (Garde Manger), a pastry chef (Patissier), a fish chef (poisonnier) a roast chef (Grillardin), a vegetable chef (Entremetier) etc. Among all these, the job position of a sauté chef is highest ranking position in the kitchen.

 

Work Environment
The work environment for chefs is fast-paced. Though restaurants feature an attractive environment, the kitchen area is usually hot and crowded with food preparation workers, cooks and chefs. During peak hours, the chef de partie needs to perform their tasks under constant pressure to serve the food well and on time. Depending on the restaurant requirements, chefs may need to work irregular hours.

 

Educational Qualification
Since the job of a chef de partie is not an entry level position, it required candidates to possess extensive work experience working in different sections of the kitchen. To become successful as a chef de partie or a station chef or a line cook, candidates need to attend an credited culinary school. Today, there are several cooking schools and culinary institutions offering degree programs in culinary arts. Depending on their career interest, students need to pursue the right culinary program or course. Students can choose to enroll into associate or bachelor degree programs in culinary arts or cooking. Several years of work experience will always play the key role in getting hired as a chef de partie in large kitchen and high-end restaurants.

 

Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a fairly good job outlook for chef de partie employment. Entry level chef positions may be easy to acquire. However, candidates will face tough competition occupying chef de parties' jobs in large kitchen, high-end restaurant and restaurant chains. Due to the demanding work environment, the turnover for chef jobs is also quite high.

 

There are many who have turned their passions into profitable careers. If you too have a strong passion for cooking and experimenting with dishes, you can always consider obtaining formal education in culinary arts. A culinary arts degree will provide you with a well rounded education about the art and science of great cooking. Equipped with expert culinary skills, you can kick-start a career in the field of culinary arts to become an executive chef, banquet chef, pastry chef, head chef etc. Read on to have all the essential occupational information including the benefits of obtaining a degree in culinary arts, various degree types, job prospects and career opportunities in this field.

 

Obtaining Your Culinary Arts Degree Online
Today, candidates can avail themselves of facility of online degree programs. If you are employed, an online training program is the right learning option for you. The online degree in culinary arts will train you in the techniques and skills of cooking and food preparation. Obtaining education online will save you a lot of time and money. You can easily work around your own schedules and fix your own learning hours. And there would be no chances of missing classes.

 

There will be no heavy schedules and time-bound assignments. You will also save on study material expenses. The best part is that you can complete your assignments at your own pace and still will be evaluated by university standards.

 

Benefits of Formal Culinary Education
You might be strongly passionate about cooking a wide range of dishes and experimenting. However, to establish a successful career in the cooking industry, you will need to fine tune your skills in terms of food preparation, mixing of ingredients in the right amount, presentation skills and other essential kitchen activities. The culinary training will teach you a variety of skills and techniques including use of knife, cutting, baking techniques, frying, steaming, safety control, hygiene standards, menu planning, food styling, garnishing etc.

 

Culinary programs offered by cooking skills offer a lot more. Besides getting trained in taste and smell skills, you will learn essential job skills like work ethics that apply in the real world and interpersonal communication skills. Culinary degree programs will teach the appropriate using of a wide range of cooking equipments including blenders, grinders, oven, stove etc. Cooking schools will train you in multi-cuisine preparation, finance and marketing among others. To enable you to establish successful culinary careers, the degree programs also train you in administrative level tasks for senior level job positions.

 

Job Prospects
A culinary arts degree program prepares you for a wide range of careers in the cooking industry. There are diverse career possibilities that you can choose from. Some of the most profitable careers you can choose from are as follows.

 

Head Chef
Banquet Chef
Beverage & Wine Chef or Sommelier
Bartender
Food Preparation Worker
Pastry Chef or Patissier
Cruise Line Chef
Pantry Cook
Chef de Partie
Restaurant Manager
Culinary Trainer

 

Career Opportunities
A culinary school degree prepares for various careers. Plenty of career opportunities await those who have completed university degree programs and possess working experience. Culinary professionals can find jobs in places like hotels, restaurants, resorts, spas, spas, bars, cafes etc. In addition, you can also choose to become culinary trainer in universities and cooking schools.

 

Diploma & Certificate Programs
If you are looking for basic education and want to occupy entry level jobs, you can choose to enroll into diploma and certification programs offered by several cooking schools. Most of these programs take 8-10 weeks to complete. Commonly offered diploma programs include pastry arts, baking, professional cooking etc.

 

Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree is the perfect option to kick-start a career in this field. The degree program trains candidates in all the basic techniques and skills of the trade. The hospitality industry is in regular demand of associate degree graduates. The training program proves to be a stepping stone for an advanced career in the culinary industry.

 

Bachelor's Degree Programs
If you aspire to occupy senior level job positions, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited culinary school. The degree provides you with a well rounded education in the art of cooking. The program offers you specialization that you need to become a chef. The typical course work of these training programs include concepts, understanding of skills, presentation skills, history of food preparation, ethics of food preparation etc.

 

If you wish to enter into the field of culinary arts and have a strong passion for making breads, cookies, chocolates, cake, ice cream and pies, becoming a pastry chef or a patissier can just be the right career option for you. Though the dessert comes at the end of a meal, it can make or break the taste of the entire course of meal. And the best part is that the demand for pastry chefs is quite strong in the culinary industry. There are several culinary schools where you can enroll into a culinary arts course and get trained in the art of baking and pastry making. Read on to know about the job responsibilities, education and training required and career prospects in this occupation.

 

Job Description
Since the job of a pastry chef uses a lot of innovative skills, you will never get bored. Whether it is a hotel chain, a resort or a high end restaurant, patissiers are in high demand in the food preparation industry. A pastry chef has the responsibility of supervising all the operations inside the pastry kitchen. You will be handling work include preparation and production of a wide range of pastry and bakery items. Whether it is about making confections, wedding cakes, a range of breads and other specialty items, the pastry chef need to possess creative skills to prepare all of these items.

 

A pastry chef or a patissier's job description does not involve only preparation of desserts and bakery items, but it may also include looking after administrative tasks including menu planning cost control and ordering supplies. You job responsibilities will prove to be quite challenging, as you will also need to do some research for creating and testing new dessert recipes. Preparation of all the dessert items needs to be done in advance before seating begins for dinner. The challenge is to prepare recipes that are exciting and attract customers. Artwork in pastry making plays a vital role.

 

The pastry department in a large hotel or high end restaurant may have one or more pastry chefs, aside from assistants and bakers. The pastry chef performs the duties of heading the department supervising other assistants and bakers, planning the menu and making sure the preparation is done in time to be served at the end of a meal. The chef has to take into consideration all the aesthetics involved in the process including the taste, size, shape, color, calories, presentation etc.

 

Educational Qualification & Training Required
Candidates who aspire to make a career in pastry arts can enroll into a relevant culinary arts course that trains them into the art of baking and pastry making. Today, there are numerous culinary art schools and courses offering courses in baking, pastry making, culinary arts etc. To become a pastry chef or a pastissier, you can get enrolled into one of the following courses.

 

Baking and Pastry Certificate
Associate's Degree in Applied Science Culinary Arts
Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts

 

Certifications courses in baking and pastry making can prepare for entry level jobs. If you are looking for well rounded education, you should go for an associate degree or a bachelor degree. A bachelor's degree in culinary arts will highly increase your chances of landing jobs and make a successful culinary career. Before you get enrolled in a culinary arts program, remember to go through the detailed coursework and check the accreditation of the culinary schools you attend.

 

Job Skills
Candidates should possess some essential skills and personal characteristics to become a successful pastry chef. Excellent organization skills and detail orientation are crucial to become successful. Other important qualities include creativity, patience, understanding of scientific principles, correct measurement capability, extensive food preparation techniques, people skills, management and business skills among others.
 

Career Prospects
There is no dearth of employment opportunities for candidates with formal training and relevant working experience. You may need to face stiff competition at the start of your career. However, as you grow in experience and skills, you will have excellent career opportunities. According to the Unites States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for pastry chef jobs is expected to grow as fast as the average of all other occupations. As the culinary industry continues to expand, job opportunities will also arise.

 

Annual Salary
The salary of a pastry chef varies depending on the years of experience you carry and the job position you take. The average annual salary of a patissier or a pastry chef is $35,000. As you grow in experience and acquire more skill sets, the salary can go up to $65,000 annually or more.