Chocolatier
Job Description:Chocolatiers make chocolate into confectionery, either for their own business or for another brand.
Job Category:What you will do:
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- creating products by melting, moulding and decorating chocolate
- maintaining kitchen hygiene rules and food hygiene standards
- keeping up with production schedules
- meeting production deadlines
- making sure production meets the brand’s expected quality
- using kitchen equipment carefully and safely
- contributing ideas for new products
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of food production methods
- the ability to work well with your hands
- maths knowledge
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
As well as:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure (leadership skills)
- the ability to use your initiative (ambition)
Entry Requirements:
There are no set qualifications needed to become a chocolatier, but evidence of catering or cooking experience is essential.
You could:
- start by working in a bakery, chocolate shop, or factory for a chocolate manufacturer
- complete an apprenticeship or internship in hospitality, ideally with a chocolate or confectionery brand
- attend culinary school and train in an area like patisserie or baking arts
Researching chocolate production through taking a MOOC (massive open online course), visiting a local factory, and experimenting with chocolate tempering at home will also help prepare you for work as a chocolatier.
School Subjects
To become a Chocolatier in the UK, specific GCSE subjects are not mandatory, but certain subjects can be beneficial in providing a foundation for the necessary skills and knowledge in this field, such as:
- Food Technology: This subject can provide insights into food production, ingredients, and the science behind food processing, which is relevant in chocolate making.
- Art and Design: Chocolatiers often create visually appealing chocolate products, and artistic skills can be beneficial in designing and decorating confections.
- Mathematics: Basic mathematical skills are important for measuring ingredients and adjusting recipes.
- Business Studies: Understanding the business aspects of operating a chocolaterie, including marketing, finance, and customer service, can be helpful if you plan to run your own business.
- English: Good language and communication skills are essential for reading recipes, understanding instructions, and communicating with customers.
- Chemistry: While not directly related, studying chemistry can provide a deeper understanding of the chemical properties of chocolate and the science of tempering.
Working Hours and Environment:
As a chocolatier, you may be running your own business, in which case you would set your own hours. If this includes branding, merchandising and leading a team, it could form part of a demanding full-time schedule.
If you work for another company, you will likely work in shifts. These could be part-time or full-time, and may take place overnight in order to meet product delivery schedules.
You might need to stay focused for long periods at a time, doing repetitive tasks or tasks which require close attention to detail. You might also spend a lot of time on your feet.
Career Path & Progression:
If working for a bigger company, you could progress to a management position, such as Head Chocolatier or team leader.