Halloween may be the biggest candy holiday, but every day can be a treat when you work in the dessert industry! Sugar has come a long way since the middle ages when it was only available to the wealthy.
Now life can be sweet for anyone working as a Candy Maker, Dessert Baker, or Pastry Chef. Just take a look at the job application guides below to learn more about opportunities that are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Read More: How to Become a Chocolatier. Chocolatiers play an essential role in the creation and production of our favorite sweet treats. Learn how to step on this career path with our guide!
Desserts & Sweets
Top 5 Job Positions in the Dessert Industry
Dessert Café Server
Servers in Dessert Cafes serve a variety of gourmet desserts to café patrons. They take orders for pastries and various beverages, clean tables, and process payments while providing quick, efficient and polite customer service.
Café Servers must be knowledgeable about the ingredients and qualities of the various cakes, pies, cookies and other specialty desserts they serve. Dessert Café Servers earn about $9 per hour, and usually receive customer tips.
Candy Maker
A Candy Maker or Batchmaker mixes and blends the ingredients used in the manufacture of various types of candy and chocolate. They set up, operate and monitor specialized equipment, measure ingredients, test products, and sterilize work areas.
Batchmakers are usually required to stand for long periods of time, and may have to do a lot of bending and lifting. Candy Makers usually earn an average salary of about $27,000 per year.
Commercial Baker
Commercial Bakers prepare cakes, pastries, cookies and cupcakes that are sold to restaurants, wholesalers, and grocery stores. They mix ingredients and follow standardized recipes to mass-produce large volumes of baked goods.
Bakers are required to operate large, automated ovens and mixing machines, and must adhere to production schedules. Commercial Bakers can earn an average annual salary of $26,000.
Pastry Chef
Pastry Chefs work in fine restaurants to create and prepare dessert menu items. They develop and test recipes, and determine serving sizes and presentation styles.
Chefs may also oversee food prep workers, order and manage food ingredients, and monitor cleanliness of equipment and work areas. Pastry Chefs often earn an annual salary of about $42,000.
Dessert Shop Baker
The Baker in a specialty Dessert Shop or Bakery prepares small batches of cupcakes, cookies, pies, squares, and other baked goods for sale directly to the consumer. They are often responsible for taking special orders, and for baking birthday cakes and other custom desserts.
Retail Bakers are familiar with preparing a wide range of goods, in a variety of sizes and flavors. Dessert Shop Bakers usually earn an average salary of about $25,000 per year.
