Name:
Instructor:
Date:
Activity 1: Selecting a Job
I selected pastry chef as my preferred career, not necessarily for the sake of our class activity, but for my future career. I chose this career because most of my uncles are a chef and I’m very close to them. They always tell me how this job has a lot of creative freedom despite the challenges that come with being a chef. I have also worked as a waiter before in one of the city hotels, and I liked what the pastry chefs were doing. You know, how they could work with other staff in the kitchen to plan and prepare desserts to be served with other food in the buffet pleasantly. I also loved how they could make and test new desserts and pastries. I also have a problem back home finding the right pastries to eat during breakfast. Learning how to prepare pastries like pies, tarts, donuts, croissants, Danishes, and scones will be a great asset to me, my family, and most probably to my colleagues here in class, who may want birthday cakes or any other related services.
Therefore, the purpose of this job will be to help me learn and be in a position to prepare fresh and a variety of food and snacks such as cakes, cookies, pies, and bread. This means that I will also save money used to buy expensive breakfasts and snacks in shops and ensure my family eats healthily. Wilson et al (2022) found that if the portions of snacking are too much, they can lead to excess calories and unwanted weight gain.This job is important because I will be in a position to control how much snacks my family eats and raise them healthily. According to the ZipRecruiter website, the hours and skills required of a pastry chef vary from one job to another, but I hope to work in either a hotel, a restaurant, a caterer, or a bakery.
After researching from O*NET Online, I discovered that pastry chef job duties and responsibilities include;
- Operate and manage the pastry section of a kitchen.
- Monitor and order ingredients, supplies, and equipment
- Ensure the bakery section of the kitchen adheres to health and safety regulations
- Identify staffing needs, propose recruitment of new personnel and train them
- Develop new seasonal recipes and menus and keep up with the latest trends
On the other hand, requirements and skills include;
- Proven experience as Pastry Chef, baker, or relevant role
- Great attention to detail and creativity
- Organizing and leadership skills
- Willingness to replenish professional knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of sanitation principles, food preparation, and baking techniques, and nutrition
- Working knowledge of baking with ingredient limitations (pastries that are gluten free, sugarless, etc.)
- Certificate or diploma in culinary arts, pastry-making, baking, or relevant field.
I also noted that the average hourly rate for Pastry Chef ranges from $27 to $35 with an average hourly pay of $31.
References
O*NET Online. Chefs and Head Cooks. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/35-1011.00
Wilson, T., DeVaan, L. S., LaCasse, M. E., Gile, E. M., Weis, M. J., Ahmann, M. D., … & Hooks, T. L. (2022). Effect of Walnut Predinner Snack on Mealtime Hunger and Nutrient Intake Among University Students. Journal of Medicinal Food, 25(1), 89-96.
ZipRecruiter (n.d.). Where Do Pastry Chefs Work? https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/Where-Do-Pastry-Chefs-Work#:~:text=Pastry%20chefs%20also%20work%20in,one%20job%20to%20the%20next.
