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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Conduct research into finishing and decorating techniques
   • Information resources are identified and accessed to inform the technical and creative aspects of finishing and decorating cakes, petit fours, pastries and desserts
   • Events and festive seasons celebrated with bakery products are identified and a range of presentations explored
   • Research is conducted into taste, texture, appearance and presentation of cakes to determine key features of finished effect
   • Resources and suppliers available for creating different finished effects are identified and documented for future use
   • Costs associated with different finishing techniques and features are estimated and cost-efficient alternatives identified
2. Design finish and decoration for bakery products
   • Purpose and desired effect for bakery product are confirmed with customer or from product development criteria
   • Design parameters, including colours, flavours, any special requirements or preferences, budget, required servings and quality are confirmed
   • Type of bakery product is assessed to inform decoration and finishing options
   • Design for decoration and finishing is developed to meet product/customer requirements
   • Feedback is sought from client and design adjusted accordingly and final design confirmed
   • Design is documented
3. Plan finishing
   • Ingredients used in finishing are examined and key uses and limitations identified
   • Plan is developed for bakery product finishing which specifies required resources and plans work sequence
   • Ingredients are sourced and prepared for use
   • Equipment is prepared for use
   • Bakery product is prepared for finishing
4. Produce finishing and decorating effects
   • A range of decorative pieces and garnishes are produced
   • A range of fillings and toppings are produced
   • Bakery product decoration and finishing is completed according to plan and customer requirements
   • Work is conducted according to food safety requirements
   • Work is conducted to minimise waste and meet workplace environmental standards
5. Cost and price final product
   • Product ingredients are costed
   • Production costs are estimated
   • Product is priced within business pricing policy
   • Actual costs are measured against estimated costs
6. Prepare final product for market
   • Product shelf life is estimated and required storage conditions identified
   • Bakery product is prepared for display, sale, packaging or presentation

Required Skills

Required skills

Ability to select decoration to meet productcustomer requirements price ingredients for use in product estimate cost of decoration select ingredients to meet decoration requirements prepare finishings and toppings to meet recipe requirements including chocolate creamsbutter creamspastry creams glazes fruit cream cheese finish and decorate final product store ingredients finished and partfinished product in appropriate storage conditions clean equipment and utensils to meet hygiene standards maintain workplace records as required maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards provide customer advice on storage preparation and portioning as appropriate to product type and intended use advice must be consistent with food safety and quality requirements measure actual production costs against estimate and account for any variation determine an appropriate price for final products use oral communication skillslanguage 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 ingredient characteristics purpose and preparation requirements including scope to substitute or vary ingredients in a recipe the effect of ingredients on shelf life and food safety the role preparation requirements and uses of additives including colours flavours and stabilisers optimum storage conditions and shelf life for finishings and related sequencing and preparation requirements optimum conditions for use of finishings such as temperature and moisture content the effect of refrigeration and freezing on finished product as appropriate to product type optimum storage conditions for the finished product prior to sale storage handling and preparation requirements of the finished product including information to be provided to consumers as appropriate to product type and consistent with food safety requirements ingredient suppliers and pricing information methods of estimating fixed and variable costs and profit margin to determine sale price range trade practice issues when pricing products business policy and parameters in pricing products

Evidence Required

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 Competency 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 research finishes and decorations for cakes and identify suppliers design finish and decoration for a minimum of five cakes plan and prepare ingredients equipment and processes required for finishing combine and process ingredients according to requirements finish and decorate cakes according to requirements using a minimum of three decorative pieces and garnishes assess outcomes against quality standards take corrective action in response to typical faults and inconsistencies 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 product requirements safe work practices food safety quality and environmental requirements recipes and customer specifications production equipment appropriate to product type materialsingredients to meet recipe requirements ingredient pricing information 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 other units of competency relevant to the function or work role
Guidance information for assessment	To ensure consistency of performance competency should be assessed 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

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Range Statement

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
Legislative requirements	Legislative requirements are typically reflected in procedures and specifications. Legislation relevant to this industry includes: the Food Standards Code including labelling, weights and measures legislation legislation covering food safety, environmental management, occupational health and safety (OHS), anti-discrimination and equal opportunity
Workplace information	Workplace information can include: verbal or written operating procedures specifications production schedules recipe instructions
Equipment	Equipment may include: round icing tube bow cutter blossom cutter templates rolling pin knife paint brush ametal scriber grease-proof piping bags cornflour dusting bag cutter ribbon cake toppers spatulas double boiler, microwave or a chocolate melter airbrush moulds crimpers cutting wheels press sets modelling tools veiners whisks artificial flowers charms paper covered wire
Ingredients	Ingredients may include: white sugarpaste gum Tragacanth chocolate couverture marzipan royal icing food colouring rolled fondant edible paper ,edible images,wafer paper and rice paper edible ink meringue powder and egg whites buttercream pettinice ganache flavours sprinkles garnishes confectionery glaze
Cakes	Cakes may include: fruit cake mud cake torte continental cakes croquembouche sponges cup cakes gateaux special occasion cakes macaroons pastries
Decorative pieces and garnishes	Decorative pieces and garnishes may include: sugar flowers cut shapes moulded shapes sculptures cake toppers
Fillings and toppings	Fillings and toppings may include: syrups flavoured sources and toppings cream cream cheese glazes chocolate pastillage croquant marzipan

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