Does baking for others bring you joy and allow you to unleash your inner creativity? Do you wish you could turn your passion for baking into a side hustle or even a full-time job? If you want to learn how to become a baker, you’ve come to the right blog.
At Airmart, we host online shops for dozens of bakers and pastry chefs with various backgrounds and experiences. In fact, a few of our bakers have become so successful selling online, they’ve been able to open their dream brick-and-mortar bakeries!
How to Become a Baker
You can take many paths to a baking career. Some bakers seek professional training, some participate in a baking apprenticeship, and others are self-taught.
No matter how you choose to go about it, perfecting your baking craft is all about trial and error. You have to be willing to experiment and fail. If you can do that and have fun along the way, professional baking is the perfect fit for you.
Pastry chef training
You don’t have to attend an independent culinary school to become a baker. Many community colleges also offer culinary training programs. The owner of Airmart bakery Honolulu Rose Cakeshop went all the way to South Korea to perfect her craft!
A la carte classes
You don’t have to enroll in school to become a baker. Many craft stores and baking supply companies offer short-term workshops on cake decorating and other baking skills.
Self-directed study
Many bakers haven’t had professional training at all. Priscilla of Mochee LA learned mochi egg tart recipes from her mother, and Kei of Kei’s Specialties started baking as a pandemic hobby.
If you are a self-taught baker, Facebook baking groups are a must-have resource. You can ask questions, troubleshoot, and build community with other beginning bakers who can offer advice, encouragement, and support.
Starting Out
Baking apprenticeships
Pastry chef training programs can connect you to bakeries where you can work as a baking apprentice. One Airmart pastry chef, Gary Rulli, hosts international students for baking apprenticeships at his Italian patisserie, Emporio Rulli.
Self-taught bakers may also apply for apprenticeships, depending on the required skill level. Some apprenticeships are designed to be paid, tuition-free training for amateur bakers.
Here are a few apprenticeship programs:
San Diego Baking Apprenticeship
New Hampshire Bread Baking Apprenticeship
You can also become a baker apprentice at some Panera Bread locations,
Grocery stores
Grocery store chains like Albertson’s, Whole Foods, Raley’s, and Ranch 99 are always hiring bakers and cake decorators for their bakery departments. All you need is proof of your skills– whether that’s a certificate, resume, or photos of cakes you’ve decorated.
Starting your own bakery
If you’ve always dreamed of running your own business, consider opening a bakery. You can start selling baked goods from home once you are confident in your craft and have some winning recipes. The Airmart e-commerce platform can provide you with online bakery order forms, payment processing, and even delivery and shipping. We also share wonderful baking business resources on our blog and Instagram.