The Knead for Bread from the Baker
Most of us don’t need much encouragement when it comes to indulging in the delicious breads or pastries produced by bakers and pastry chefs and you only need to take a peek inside a bakery or patisserie to find out just how many different types of baked products there are. Bakers and pastry chefs prepare and bake different varieties of breads, loaves, cakes and pastries after selecting a recipe, then they prepare and mix together the magic ingredients and load it into a piping hot oven, after which time glazing and decorating takes place. While the work of a baker mostly takes place behind the scenes, in some workplaces they also serve customers and one then gets the chance to glimpse these hardworking creators of breathtaking pastries and desserts.
They have also been influenced by the current trend toward healthier eating and their wholemeal breads, wheat- and gluten-free breads and low fat banana breads are just some of the healthier options that are on offer.
Bakers are found in small retail bakeries, big wholesale suppliers, department stores, hotels and restaurants or in their own bakery shop doing much of the work by hand, measuring, weighing and sifting the ingredients, kneading the dough either by hand or with a power mixer, and creating breads, pies, cakes and delicately layered pastries in an artistic fashion that makes them sophisticated and specialised. Pastry chefs may choose to specialise in a particular area. Those who are passionate about chocolates can become chocolatiers, or they may choose to become a patissier, but creating mouthwatering sensations like biltong tarts or delicious spicy breads to dip into soups is why we need a baker!
Hotels, casino’s, hospitals and other food places are looking for passionate people who share the commitment for quality and an unequaled dedication to excellence and Prue Leith provides that specialized training for your future career as a baker.
