Young baker finds success in Harstad after career shift

According to official sources, Pettersen grew up in Bodø and started studying food at Stangnes Rå upper secondary school in Harstad due to love and chance. He originally wanted to become a child and youth worker but did not get an apprenticeship. According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Pettersen described the opportunity at Bakerinnen as having meant everything to him.

Camilla Johansen, who runs Bakerinnen, told NRK Troms og Finnmark that she saw Pettersen had a lot of potential and that it has been fun to be part of his journey. She believes baking is linked to nostalgia and creates safe, good experiences, noting that baking engages all the senses and brings people together.

It has meant everything to be able to be here.
Steinar Skarvik Pettersen, Baker
Pettersen speaking about his job at Bakerinnen.Translated

André Løvaas, a judge in the Norwegian Baking Championship (Bakemesterskapet), told NRK Troms og Finnmark that baking is especially important for young people today as a practical skill. He described the bun as a kind of rock star that everyone wants to see, and emphasized that mastering something practical allows learning through the body talking with the head.

And he likes to eat pastries and cookies.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen describing Pettersen's preferences.Translated

I have a philosophy that it is easier to look back than forward in the time we live in now. Forward there is a lot of war and uncertainty, but backward we have good memories, including about baking.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen explaining the trend of baking.Translated

We have baked with grandparents, mothers and fathers. It's about taking back the safe and good, and it's about shared experiences around the kitchen table.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen on the emotional connection to baking.Translated

And it plays on all the senses: it smells good, tastes good and looks good.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen on the appeal of baked goods.Translated

I got to bake a lot at home. Maybe I wasn't as good at washing up, but gathering people around baking creates good arenas and lowers stress.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen on her childhood memories of baking.Translated

Creating something with your hands is important. That's why people knit and sew too. I see only positive sides to baking.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen on the value of handcrafts.Translated

We live in a very academified world where everything is about the head. But we forget the hands. When you master something practical, you learn in a completely different way, through the body talking with the head.
André Løvaas, Judge in Bakemesterskapet
Løvaas on the importance of practical skills for young people.Translated

The bun has become a kind of rock star that everyone wants to see.
André Løvaas, Judge in Bakemesterskapet
Løvaas on the popularity of cinnamon buns on social media.Translated

But he had a lot of potential.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen on her first impression of Pettersen.Translated

It has been fun to be part of Steinar's journey from the first meeting until he passed his trade test a year ago with top marks.
Camilla Johansen, Owner and head baker at Bakerinnen
Johansen praising Pettersen's progress.Translated

It's scary to train others, but good to...
Steinar Skarvik Pettersen, Baker
Pettersen on training new employees (quote cut off).Translated