This unit has application in a retail baking environment. It applies to a baking assistant role and is conducted under supervision.

Cake and pastry products include those that are commonly available which require basic production techniques, including the use of premixes.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare work area

1.1. Work area and personal hygiene are confirmed as clean and in accordance with work food safety standards

1.2. Requirements for production are confirmed with supervisor or work procedures

1.3. Equipment requirements are identified and equipment checked for availability and readiness

1.4. Ingredients are identified and checked for availability and readiness

2. Mix ingredients

2.1. Dry ingredients are weighed and/or measured to meet recipe requirements and combined

2.2. Ingredients are poured into mixer and wet ingredients combined according to recipe requirements

2.3. Mixer is operated according to product requirements and operating instructions

2.4. Dough or batter is moved to work area applying safe lifting procedures

3. Shape dough

3.1. Dough is rolled by hand and shaped according to product requirements

3.2. Flattening and shaping equipment is used according to workplace requirements

3.3. Dough waste is minimised and processed

3.4. Readiness for baking is confirmed by supervisor

4. Pour batter

4.1. Cake tins are prepared for use

4.2. Mixed product is fed into hopper for automatic dispensing into cake tins

4.3. Cake tins are filled according to product requirements and readiness for baking confirmed

5. Bake product

5.1. Oven temperatures are confirmed and oven checked for readiness

5.2. Timing required for baking is confirmed

5.3. Tins/trays/racks are loaded into oven and baking time monitored

5.4. Tins/trays/racks are turned as required to achieve even baking

5.5. Tins/trays/racks are removed from oven and cooled in accordance with work requirements

5.6. Quality standards are checked and non-compliances identified and reported

5.7. Products are moved to allocated area for finishing or sale

6. Clean equipment

6.1. Equipment is cleaned to meet production and hygiene requirements

6.2. Waste is disposed of according to workplace procedure

6.3. Work is conducted in accordance with workplace environmental guidelines

6.4. Workplace records are maintained according to workplace recording requirements

Required skills

Ability to:

access workplace information and liaise with supervisor to identify production requirements

clean equipment and utensils to meet hygiene standards

maintain workplace records as required

maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

characteristics of ingredient and storage requirements

settings, operating requirements and safety features of equipment used

methods used to confirm accuracy of measuring equipment used

time, temperature and humidity on the baking processes

required characteristics of dough or mix

control points and related monitoring requirements

occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls

waste handling and cleaning and procedures

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

prepare work area according to workplace food safety standards

plan and prepare ingredients, equipment and processes

mix, pour and shape dough or mix according to product requirements

bake according to product requirements

provide assistance for the production of cake, pastry and biscuit products

assess dough outcomes against quality standards

clean equipment

apply safe work practices and identify OHS hazards and controls

apply food safety procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

work procedures, including advice on relevant dough preparation requirements, safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

recipe instructions

product specifications and related inspection/control points

mixing equipment

materials/ingredients

personal protective clothing, equipment and material safety data sheets (MSDS) as required

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements, and industrial awards and agreements

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

verbal or written instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

specifications

recipe instructions

Quality requirements

Quality requirements include:

identifying, rectifying, removing and/or reporting unacceptable products

Unit sector

Retail baking

This unit contains employability skills.