Career Corner Life as a... cake maker
Believe it or not, there exists a profession in which you get to hang around cake EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Yes, it may seem like the stuff of dreams, but we promise you - this is as real as the head rush we feel after eating 3 consecutive slices of chocolate gateau. A career as a cake maker might seem pretty sweet, but it doesn't come without its challenges. Constant pressure from clients to create mind-blowing designs within a limited amount of time can be laborious, but when a challenging design turns out well, a satisfied customer can feel like the cherry on the cake!
On The Extreme Cake Makers, we follow several teams of cake makers who are challenged to produce ambitious designs for their clients. Sometimes, this goes without a hitch, other times, it's a crumbling catastrophe. Watch The Extreme Cake Makers here.
Poll
Would you consider a career as a cake maker?
Victorious Sponge
If cake making feels like your calling, then read below for what this appetising profession entails...
Qualificaketions
There are no set entry requirements or qualifications needed to become a cake maker, but it goes without saying that any kind of experience in baking is going to come in handy. You might need to show prospective employers your abilities with a number of techniques, including ice modelling, sculpting, and decorating, but if you don't really have the knack for these skills quite yet, this list of courses could help you develop them: The National Skills Academy of Food and Drink. You may even be able to get an apprenticeship, allowing you to work and study simultaneously. find out how here.
Sponge Skills
There are a few natural skills that are necessary to be an expert cake maker; this includes attention to detail and an incredibly steady hand - some designs can be very fiddly! Creativity and an artistic ability are also important, and basic maths skills will come in handy when measuring and weighing. If self-employed, you'll have to be particularly well organised, and of course you'll have to be excellent at meeting deadlines - you wouldn't want to be responsible for a disastrous wedding because the cake wasn't delivered on time!
What you'll dough
On any given day, you'll spend time going over clients' visions for what they'd like their cake to be - this may include sketching up ideas. You'll create designs and decorations, and write bespoke messages on cakes. If part of a large business, you'll often be required to apply ready-made designs to cakes. You'll need to always keep an eye on stock levels, and will have to keep accounts if self-employed. When not baking, you'll spend time promoting your business.
What's my incrumb?
OK, we're pushing it with the puns now.
As a trainee, your income is likely to start at around £12,000. At the top end, you can expect to earn approximately £25,000. As a freelancer, you're looking at £8.00 to £14.00 per hour - how much you earn depends on the complexity of the cakes you have been assigned.
Working flours
Somebody stop us.
The hours spent working can differ, and often depend on deadlines and how difficult certain cakes are to make. In a bakery, you'll usually work a normal working week, and sometimes one day over the weekend. Sometimes, you could be working in shifts. If self-employed, your hours will depend on how much work you have; this tends to increase just before Christmas, Easter, and April to September, which is the wedding season.
So, where do you go from here? these handy links should help you on your way...
