Baking is both a science and an art, and mastering the hard skills of a baker can take years of practice and dedication. Whether you’re applying for a job at a local bakery or starting your own baking business, there are certain skills that every baker should have on their resume. The most sought-after hard skills of a baker include:
Baking: This one may seem obvious, but a baker should have a strong understanding of the baking process, including the appropriate temperatures, timings, and techniques for various baked goods.
Food and Beverage: A baker should have a solid knowledge of different ingredients, flavor profiles, and food pairings in order to create delicious and well-balanced baked goods.
Pastry: A baker should have experience working with pastry dough, including techniques such as rolling, cutting, and shaping.
Food Safety: It’s crucial for a baker to have knowledge and training in proper food handling and safety practices to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Cake Decorating: Depending on the type of bakery, cake decorating skills may be essential for creating aesthetically pleasing and customized cakes for special occasions.
Bakery: A baker should have experience working in a bakery setting, including knowledge of the equipment, tools, and organization needed to efficiently produce baked goods.
Cooking: While baking and cooking are two different disciplines, a baker should still have a solid understanding of cooking techniques and how they relate to baking.
Catering: If a baker is working with clients or providing baked goods for events, catering skills such as menu planning, budgeting, and event coordination may also be relevant.
Additionally, depending on the specific position you are applying for or the type of business you are starting as a baker, other hard skills such as customer service, recipe development, bread baking, cookie baking, and cake baking may also be useful to showcase on your resume. Overall, having a diverse range of hard skills can make a baker a valuable asset to any bakery or culinary establishment.