I'm a Baker

February 2024

Jim Betts as told to Ellen Song

Jim Betts wakes up long before the sun rises each morning. That’s because Jim is a baker. He needs to get up really early to help make the yummy breads and treats he sells at his bakery each day. Jim says that baking is a form of magic that transforms a few simple ingredients—flour, water, salt, and yeast—into something delicious. But it’s not just magic. Good bakers have to be able to follow recipes and calculate measurements. They work in many places, including restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and, of course, bakeries. Think you might want to turn your love of baking into a career like Jim did? Read on!

I grew up in the Midwest, but when I was 8, my family lived in Paris for a year. Every morning, my brother and I bought fresh baguettes (long loaves of French bread). We’d run home to eat them with our family. I still remember how delicious they were.

In college, I lived with a group of other students. I loved baking bread for my housemates. I never had formal training in baking, but after graduation I worked at a pastry shop for a few years.

After I got married, my wife and I opened our own bakery. I specialize in pastries. My wife and the other staff make breads, cookies, and cakes. We also make pies with meat and vegetables.

To be a good baker, you need to be creative, detail-oriented, and physically strong. You should also not be afraid of simple math, because there are a lot of percentages and fractions in baking.

I stop work at 3 p.m. Another baker works overnight, so we operate around the clock. It’s hard work, but I love making food for my community. Plus, fresh bread always smells fantastic.