World class professional baker coming to Malaspina Feb. 4

One of the world's top professional bakers is coming to Nanaimo to share his skills and knowledge of bread-making with students, bakers and those working in the food service industry on Vancouver Island.

Ciril Hitz will lead a one-day workshop Sunday, Feb. 4, at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo. This full-day demo, sponsored by the Baking Association of Canada BC Chapter’s Vancouver Island Committee, will cover a wide range of topics and provide an overview of many different bread-baking processes.

“Chef Hitz will provide a basic introduction to pre-ferments and their effective use in both sweet and savory applications, as well as covering laminated doughs, enriched doughs, and the classic baguette,” said Malaspina Baking instructor Martin Barnett.

In addition to demonstrating many traditional bread-making techniques, Chef Hitz will share his expertise on decorative breads and their practical industry uses as everyday marketing tools to promote products.

“This overview will provide inspiration and illustrate the endless creative possibilities associated with decorative breads,” said Barnett. “While this is not a hands-on demo, there will be opportunities to sample products and ask questions throughout the day.”

Hitz will spend a full day in Malaspina’s teaching kitchen on Feb. 5 mentoring students enrolled in Malaspina’s Professional Baking and Culinary Arts programs.

“We’re elated that our students will be exposed to a world-class baking wizard,” said Barnett. “They’ll learn a lot.”

Hitz is Department Chair for the International Baking and Pastry Program at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He’s won numerous awards and accomplishments, both in the industry and as a faculty member at Johnson & Wales. He represented the United States as a Bread Bakers’ Guild Team member in the artistic category and competed at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris, France, where the team picked up a silver medal.

His work has been featured on the NBC Today Show as well as The Food Network’s “The Best Bread in the World” feature documentary.

Debbie Shore, Coordinator of Culinary Arts and Professional Baking programs at Malaspina, praised the Baking Association of Canada for sponsoring Hitz’s visit to Vancouver Island.

“It’s always difficult for Island chefs and bakers to attend events like this on the mainland,” she said. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to learn from the world’s best right here on Vancouver Island.”

The Baking Association of Canada BC Chapter’s Vancouver Island Committee was formed in September 2005. Malaspina Professional Baking instructors Martin Barnett, Rita Gower and Ken Harper are all members. The committee’s purpose is to establish a forum within the baking trade to encourage a creative exchange of ideas, and collectively promote the profession of baker and pastry chef as a skilled craft.

Anyone interested in attending the Feb. 4 workshop should contact Martin Barnett at (250) 740-6114 or email: barnettm@viu.ca, or Rita Gower at (250) 729-9045 or email gowerr@viu.ca. The cost is $95 per person, and includes lunch.

-30-