How to Build a Career in Bakery and Confectionery?

Do you know being a baker takes more than knowing how to bake bread? Confectionery and Bakery have emerged out of a career in hotel management. It is a blend of both Science and Arts wherein there is a multitude of specifications and proportions that are to be kept in mind while making the desired product. While the science part of it remains constant for everyone, the creative part of it can differ to a great extent in professionals leading them to diversifying areas of employment. This is a choice article for all the students, fresh out of culinary school, trying to find a job. Or For those planning a career after arts stream in this field!

Required Skills for Bakery and Confectionery

As a Baker, you would be making a lot of buns, pastries, croissants, bread rolls, loaves, cakes, etc adding your innovative factors to the basic recipe. While a course in the field would trach you weighing ingredients, mixing them and setting them to a mould, but, there are certain additional skills a professional in Confectionery must exhibit. Enlisted below are some of them: 

1. Correct Knowledge of Ingredients
2. Sensibility to Not Waste Anything
3. Quick Learner
4. Proper Knowledge of Pricing
5. Basic knowledge of Maths
6. Justification of the Procedures [How much and why those ingredients are mixed and used.]
7. Have to Understand Demographics [specifically when you own your bakery]
8. Have to be a good communicator, so can describe the product well and can seduce customers into buying new things.
9. Physical stamina and patience to work for hours on a single thing.

Along with skills comes some duties that fall upon the sleeve of a professional baker. Let us have a look at some of them: 

1. Check the Quality of Ingredients
2. Come up with New Recipes
3. Be precise and accurate because bread making especially requires time and precision
4. Responsibility for Any Failure

Also Read: Best Hotel Management Colleges in Canada: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Students

Top Bakery and Confectionery Courses

One can decide on pursuing a course in Bakery at any given point of life, thus, varsities across the globe offer a wide range of programmes pertaining to this field ranging from Bachelor’s level to short-term certificate courses. One is likely to find a suitable level of course as per their preferences. Enlisted below are the choicest ones by us.

1. Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery (DBC)
2. Advance Certificate Course in Bakery and Confectionery
3. Certificate Course in Bakery and Confectionery
4. Advance Diploma in Culinary Arts and Patisserie Studies
5. Craft Course in Bakery and Confectionery (CCBC)
6. Diploma in Culinary Arts and Patisserie
7. Post Graduate Diploma in Bakery Science and Technology
8. Post Graduate Diploma in Bakery Science and Management
9. Certificate Course in Food Production and Patisserie
10. Diploma in Bakery Technology and Management

Online Courses for Baking and Confectionery

There are various popular sites like Youtube, Instagram and Udemy where students can learn the basics of baking. Some of the courses offered online are free of cost or at minimal costs ranking between INR 500 to INR 2000! Here are some popular courses you can to take basic, intermediate or expert level baking training-

1. Viennoiserie, Danish Pastries & Enriched Doughs For Beginner by Thomas Charles Mathiassen
2. The Basics of Bake by Emily Friend
3. Japanese Pastry Course Japanese Cheesecake by IndyAssa Japan
4. French Pastry – The Complete Croissant Masterclass by Shubranshu Bhandoh

How to be a Baker in India?

Baking is one of the most accessible career options in the world. Anyone can start baking. Whether you are in school/college, a professional, or a recent graduate, you can learn baking. Below we have provided a steps that you can follow to become a baker in India.

1. Get educated (Optional); Education is the building block of success. You do not need to be educated, but it can help you in the future. You must have completed at least the 10th or 12th standard. An additional certification  (from FSSI in India, Bakery associations, etc.) or a diploma in baking is also beneficial.
2. Choose the right baking course: You must choose the right baking course. For example, you can get a certification/diploma in Bakery & Confectionery, or Hotel Management with Baking specialisation. A Bachelor’s in Hotel Management is also a useful degree.
3. Eligibility criteria for higher education in Bakery: Those who want to pursue higher education must know that graduation in certain courses is valuable. For example, B.Tech, B.Pharma, MBBS, BDS, and B.Sc. in Life Sciences, Food Science, Microbiology. A degree in these subjects can help you get a Master’s degree.
4. Gain experience and relevant skills: You need to attend workshops, or work as an intern, or apprentice under professional bakers to gain experience. You must also develop key baking skills like basic maths, nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene procedures, and the functions of ingredients.
5. Apply for a license: You can apply for a baking license if you want to start your own bakery or sell baked goods. Ensure that you are registered with the FSSAI, and apply for GST, Shop Act and other municipality permissions.
6. Get a job: You can also choose to work bas a pastry chef or a baker in restaurants, hotels, cafes, or resorts.
7. Continue skill development: The baking trends keep changing. Therefore, keep upskilling your baking skills. For example, you can attend nline baking masterclasses, or attend culinary competitions or expos.

Best Bakery Colleges in the World

There are several colleges in the world where you can attend bakery classes. However, the best colleges for bakery classes are not only known for providing excellent quality education but also for emphasising on practical skills. These skills will help you build a career in baking. The following are some of the top bakery colleges in the world you can enroll in.

1. French Culinary Institute 
2. The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes 
3. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
4. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
5. Culinary Arts Academy
6. Le Cordon Bleu
7. L’ecole Lenotre Paris
8. Pastry Concept
9. Cast Alimenti
10. Ferrandi Paris
11. Academy Of Pastry Arts
12. Horeca Culinary School
13. Hangar78

Best Bakery Colleges in India

Certain Indian colleges stand out from the rest. These institutions have a legacy, and they offer you an excellent education. A degree or diploma from these institutions is enough to get you started on the journey of becoming a baker or other related jobs. These are some of the best bakery colleges in India that you must know about.

1. Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai
2. ASK Institute of Bakery and Confectionery
3. School for European Pastry
4. Truffle Nation- Premium Baking School
5. Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts
6. White Lotus School of Cake Decoration Arts
7. Whisk and Bake Institute

Subjects Covered in Bakery and Confectionery Courses

The following are the subjects covered in bakery and confectionery courses. You must study these core subjects to build a strong foundation. Ensure that the course you are choosing covers these topics and that it emphasises on practical skills.

1. Introduction to the bakery
2. Role of Bakery ingredient
3. Quality testing of ingredients and Bakery Products
4. Bread making process
5. Cake making
6. Biscuit
7. Other bakery products
8. Modification of bakery products for people with special nutritional requirements
9. Production & quality of breakfast cereals, macaroni products and malt.
10. Packaging and labeling
11. Food safety and Food law
12. Practicals – analysis of raw material and bakery products 
13. Entrepreneurship Development in Bakery Industry
14. Laboratory demonstration, practicals and instrument handling

Job Prospects for Bakery and Confectionery

Starting a career in bakery and confectionery? You have two options. You can either start your venture or choose a job in the field. The following are the most sought-after ventures in the bakery world. These industries either attract several customers or are considered profitable. However, you have to always be on your toes and learn to deliver quality service.

1. Large Baked Goods Manufacturers
2. Canteens 
3. Caterers
4. Retail Bakeries
5. Hotels & Restaurants 
6. Institutional Food Service Providers 
7. Specialist Bakeries 
8. Cookery Shows
9. Food Stylist
10. Baking Classes

Job Titles

The following are the highest-paying job titles you can take up. The catch is that you cannot easily get these jobs. You have to be qualified and must have the relevant skills to carry out the task required of you.

1. Chefs and Head Cooks
2. Food and Tobacco Processing Workers
3. Food Preparation Workers
4. Pastry Chef (Pâtissier)
5. Executive Pastry Chef
6. Bakery Production Manager
7. Chocolatier (Chocolate Maker)
8. Cake Artist / Cake Decorator
9. Food Technologist (Bakery)
10. Bakery Consultant
11. Cruise Line Baker / Pastry Chef
12. R&D Chef (Bakery Innovations)
13. Baking Influencer / Food Blogger
14. Baking Instructor / Culinary Trainer
15. Quality Assurance Officer (Bakery)

Salary Prospects

After completing Bakery and confectionery courses in India, you have the option to choose from various career options. Therefore, your salary will differ based on the job. It will also differ based on your experience, location and job role. The average salary in India ranges between INR 2 lakh to INR 12 lakh per annum for entry-level and mid-level roles. Those skilled in their field and with positions like Head Pastry Chef or Restaurant Owner can expect to earn between INR 10 lakh to INR 15 lakh per annum.

The table below showcases the average salaries of the popular positions in India. We have also provided the comparative salaries with the UK and US as well for those who are interested in pursuing education abroad.

Career Level	Job Title	India (INR/year)	UK (GBP/year)	US (USD/year)
Entry-Level	Assistant Baker	INR 2 – 4 Lakhs	GBP 18,000 – 22,000	USD 25,000 – 32,000
	Cake Decorator	INR 2 – 3.5 Lakhs	GBP 17,000 – 21,000	USD 26,000 – 34,000
	Commis Chef (Bakery/Pastry)	INR 1.5 – 2.5 Lakhs	GBP 16,000 – 20,000	USD 24,000 – 30,000
Mid-Senior Level	Pastry Chef	INR 6 – 12 Lakhs	GBP 25,000 – 35,000	USD 40,000 – 55,000
	Bakery Manager	INR 6 – 12 Lakhs	GBP 28,000 – 40,000	USD 45,000 – 60,000
Senior Level	Head Pastry Chef	INR 10 – 15 Lakhs	GBP 40,000 – 55,000	USD 60,000 – 80,000
	Restaurant Owner	INR 10 – 15 Lakhs+	GBP 50,000+ (varies)	USD 70,000+ (varies)

Also Read: Top 10 Free Online Hospitality Management Courses with Certificates

Watch this video to get insights from the top pastry chefs in India and learn how they have become the best.

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Applying to Paris or France has been the number one priority for the students wanting to make a career in Bakery and Confectionery. Of Course, you need the expertise to apply abroad. At Leverage Edu we have mentors to help you in that. Still, figuring out which is the best culinary school? Why not book a free career counselling session with us and put wings on your career by getting admission in one of the best Hotel Management colleges.