By Nishant Shetty
The time when standard educational courses were the only choice for students is long behind. Going beyond being a mere hobby, creative courses have become an integral part of mainstream education. Breaking away from the basic course choices, an increasing number of modern-day students are drawn towards creative courses, unlocking significant career prospects. Amongst such courses, bakery and culinary courses have been gaining greater ground, becoming a top choice for students looking to build a thriving career in the sector.
As per a report from the IMARC Group, the Indian bakery market’s size reached $11.3 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $21.2 billion by 2028, demonstrating a growth rate of 10.8% during 2023-2028. With the growing demand for sweet delights, the need for bakery items is projected to surge, paving the way for remarkable opportunities for budding bakers. Moreover, in light of technological advancements the sector has undergone a massive transformation, creating a range of novel options for novices.
In addition, the evolving tastebuds of modern-day individuals have also boosted the demand for professionals who can master the art of crafting flavorful yet health-conscious delights. Transcending beyond the traditional cakes, pastries, muffins, and pies, the new-age generation seeks a healthier version of these sweet treats, highlighting the need for experts in the field and creating multiple career options for aspiring students.
Bakery and culinary industry: Top career options to consider
Expert pastry chef: Gone are the days when people would look at sweet treats as a way to satisfy their sugar cravings. Modern-day individuals seek healthy ingredients, natural substances blended with creativity and innovation, whether it is something as big as a cake or something as basic as a pastry. Especially when it comes to pastries, traditionally their demand heavily relied upon their visual appeal. However, as customer requirements and demands have undergone a significant transformation, more organic and natural-flavored pastries have emerged, underscoring the need for expert pastry chefs who can harmoniously combine nature’s goodness with taste in a savory delight. Thus, for students looking to explore modern innovation in pastry making, a pastry chef could be a promising career option.
Baking specialist: India is a land of diverse cultures and festivals, where gifting holds immense significance as a part of its culture. While traditional sweets have long been associated with the idea of gifting, new trends and innovations have greatly influenced the gifting landscape, creating demand for stylish yet health-centric sweets, including sugar-free cake hampers, gluten-free chocolates, and vegan cupcakes, amongst others. Given the rising demand for natural sweet treats, the need for professional bakers is set to grow, opening a pathway to favorable career options for aspiring bakers. Moreover, with the gifting culture here to stay, the need for professional bakers is far from diminishing, making baking and culinary a robust career option for individuals.
Professional cuisine chef: In the rapidly growing world of culinary arts, the role of professional cuisine chefs is constantly expanding. Especially with the rise in culinary tourism, dining out culture, health and wellness consciousness, and the exploration of diverse culinary styles, the demand for skilled chefs is on the rise, creating a multitude of opportunities for aspirants. Shaping dining experiences, the role of a professional cuisine chef is far from becoming redundant in the future. In fact, with the increasing desire of people to explore unique cuisines and flavors, the need for chefs with expertise is destined to grow, making way for a plethora of career opportunities for seekers.
Paving the road to a prosperous career!
Given the changing demands of modern-day individuals when it comes to sweet treats, the need for professionals with baking and culinary expertise has surfaced. Consequently, this has unlocked a wealth of promising career opportunities for aspirants to explore and excel, from pastry chefs and professional bakers to cuisine chefs, amongst others.
Moreover, as new trends and innovations continue to infiltrate the baking and culinary industry, new job opportunities will come to light, making the field a robust and dynamic career choice for budding baking and culinary experts.
The author is assistant pastry chef at Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts. Views are personal.