At the Bakery Institute in Zaandam, they have not noticed any waning interest in the bakery trade. The institute trains adults who choose a second career as a baker and there is a lot of interest in that. “We have students here from 18 to 58, cooks who want to learn, but also construction workers and forest rangers who choose to become a baker,” says director Tamara Hoogerwoud.
In the class that starts the patisserie course in Zaandam today, there are birds of very different plumage. Lian, who used to be a graphic designer, bends over the cookie dough next to Annabelle, who until recently was an officer in the Navy. They want to do something with their hands and make something delicious that makes people happy. Graphic designer Lian hopes that in the future she will be able to combine her two professions by making tastefully designed cookies.
Confidence in the future
Of course, they are all familiar with the gloomy reports from the industry about rising prices for energy and raw materials. But they see no reason to abandon the intention to change their lives towards the baker’s trade. “I think there will always be a shift and that the somewhat older bakers will hand over the baton to a new generation,” says Lian.
Director Tamara Hoogerwoud also admits that the sector faces challenges, but says that her students usually deal with them in a positive way. She indicates that she has no complaints about the interest in the program at the Bakery Institute. Former naval officer Annabelle also has confidence in the future: “I also hope that in a while, when the economy improves, people will still like to go to a restaurant to eat a nice dessert or cake.”