Bakery or hotel internship

[BakerMom]

Dear All: Our son will be completing his bread/pastry certificate next year and will be seeking a year long internship. He is eager to work at a bakery, and we are eager to have him intern at a hotel, e.g., Marriott. What would all of you advise?

 

[Norcalbaker59]

The school should help him with placement. A large commercial hotel kitchen may not be the best place for him.

contact hotbreadkitchen.org

They work primarily with disadvantage women, training then for jobs in bakery and food industry. They’re based in New York. Just explain your son’s situation and your need to find resources and support for transitioning him into the workplace. Even if they cannot provide services for him, they may be able to direct you to resources for him.

 

[damien24]

When I started, I used hotbreadkitchen.org just like a friend sent a link and it taught me very well

 

[retired baker]

Dear All: Our son will be completing his bread/pastry certificate next year and will be seeking a year long internship. He is eager to work at a bakery, and we are eager to have him intern at a hotel, e.g., Marriott. What would all of you advise?

I served a 5 year apprenticeship in a small french patisserie , after that I went to the Ritz, I left the Ritz after 2 hours and returned to my old job, the chef said I told you, he was right, they suck.

The skill level in hotels is way down the scale, they couldn't tell you how much a bag of flour cost, they don't care and they'll never own their own business.

I'd say he knows what he's doing and doesn't need any advice. You do.
Let him run with it.

 

[Mona]

Congratulations on your son's achievement! If he's passionate about working in a bakery, that could be a great way for him to specialize and refine his skills. However, an internship at a hotel like Marriott could offer broader experience, exposing him to a wider range of culinary tasks and potentially more career opportunities in the long run. It really depends on his long-term goals—if he wants to perfect his craft in baking, a bakery might be ideal, but if he’s open to diverse culinary experiences, a hotel could be a great option too. Best of luck with the decision!

 

[Jessie_Roos]

When it comes to choosing between a bakery and a hotel internship, both have their unique advantages. If your son is passionate about honing his skills in a specialized environment, a bakery internship could offer a hands-on, focused experience where he can really dive into the craft of bread and pastry making. He’ll get to work closely with bakers and may have the opportunity to learn traditional techniques and recipes.

On the other hand, an internship at a hotel like Marriott could provide him with a broader culinary experience. Hotels often have larger, more diverse operations, which means he might gain exposure to a variety of cuisines and techniques, and understand how a bakery fits into a larger food service operation. It could also be a great way to network and explore different career paths within the hospitality industry.

Ultimately, it depends on what he wants to achieve. If he's set on becoming a specialist in bakery and pastry, a bakery might be the better fit. If he's open to exploring different aspects of culinary arts and hospitality, a hotel could offer a well-rounded experience.