There’s much joy to be found in the world of baked goods: from a cake shared over afternoon tea or for a special celebration, to a warm croissant or crisp baguettes enjoyed over breakfast with a cup of coffee. Some of us may choose to bake our own delicious treats, but for many, busy modern life means there simply isn’t the time to bake regularly. Luckily, this is where bakers come in, and they provide their services for a wide range of places, from chain supermarkets to local bakeries. The life of a baker can be hard work, with long hours and early starts, but it can also be intensely rewarding and creative. If you’ve ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a baker, then read on to find out more about some of their common daily tasks and duties.
Early starts
Life as a baker is hard work, with long days and a typical start time of around 5am. A high street bakery usually opens around 9am, so bakers need to be up bright and early to sanitise the kitchen area and begin mixing and preparing the day’s dough. Dough needs a few hours to prove so that it rises sufficiently, so early starts are a must to make sure all the products are fresh and ready on time.
Weighing and measuring
As you might imagine, a large portion of the day is spent weighing and measuring ingredients for the day’s bakes. Baking is one area of cookery where accuracy is important; too much or too little of one ingredient can drastically alter bakes and cause bread or cakes not to rise. Even smaller bakeries bake products in large batches, so a lot of time will be spent prepping ingredients such as grated cheese for scones, mixing fillings or glazing pastries.
Maintaining hygiene
Working in a bakery means maintaining high standards of cleanliness at all times. Surfaces, equipment and utensils need to be regularly cleaned and sanitised, and ingredients must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and safe to use. Bakers must follow food safety guidelines carefully to ensure every product is safe for customers to enjoy.
Stock management
Bakers also need to keep a close eye on stock levels throughout the day. Ingredients such as flour, butter, eggs and milk are used in large quantities, so careful planning is essential to avoid running out. Managing stock properly helps reduce waste and ensures there’s always enough on hand to meet customer demand.
Taking orders
Many bakeries take custom orders, covering everything from wedding cakes to pastries for an office breakfast meeting. Orders like wedding cakes are likely to have been made months in advance, but other orders may come in on the day, so multitasking and time management are very important when working in a bakery.
Testing new recipes
One of the highlights of working in a bakery is the chance to get creative and try out new recipes or develop your own. Bakers will spend a lot of time tweaking recipes until they get a method they’re completely happy with, and taste testing the products is always a plus!
Wholesale ingredients you can rely on
If you’re looking for high quality wholesale baking ingredients, Freshways offers a wide range of wholesale products, including butter, eggs, milk, cream and cheese, to help keep your bakery running smoothly.
To place an order, simply complete our account application form. Once approved, our team will be in touch to support your requirements. With over 30 years of experience, we’re proud to deliver quality products you can depend on.
