September 4, 2006 - 5:00pm
Vancouver Island baking professionals will descend on Malaspina University-College’s Nanaimo campus for the second annual Baking Association of Canada, BC Chapter, Island Committee Annual General Meeting, Sept. 18.
Committee president, Martin Barnett, expects to have as many as 100 people attend this year’s event, which will include an informal panel discussion, an Apprentice and Trainee Baking Competition and a buffet dinner created by Malaspina’s Culinary Arts students.
The committee includes Vancouver Island bakers, pastry chefs and affiliates who maintain a forum within the trade for the creative exchange of ideas and collectively promote the profession as a skilled craft.
This year’s AGM theme is the celebration of trainees and apprentices, and is co-sponsored by the Dairy Commission and the Milk Marketing Board. To encourage new people in the trade, the committee is hosting a special Apprentice and Trainee Baking Competition, where new professionals can demonstrate their skills. In addition, the panel discussions will focus on training methods, both past and present, for novice bakers.
“We are experiencing a desperate shortage of trained bakers in our region,” says Barnett. “And we need to brainstorm with industry and government in order to fill this shortfall. We hope our panel discussions will give some much needed guidance in this area.”
The AGM starts at 3 p.m. in the Malaspina Theatre, Building 310, with a welcome and an informal panel discussion, followed by the competition at 4:45 p.m., and the buffet dinner at 5:15 p.m.
The registration fee is $30 and includes free bus transportation to and from Duncan and Victoria. The bus departs Victoria from the Mayfair Clock Tower at 1 p.m., and the Duncan bus station at 2 p.m.
For more information or to register, contact Rita Gower at ritagower@shaw.caor Martin Barnett at barnettm@viu.ca. For more information about the Baking Association of Canada, visit their website at www.bakingassoccanada.com.
Tags: In the Community
