Bakers in Atlantic Canada unite for networking and collaboration

Bakers in Atlantic Canada were given a rare opportunity to network in a recent Baking Association of Canada Town Hall Gathering at New Brunswick Community College in Moncton.

About 30 bakery owner-operators and industry members along with more than 30 NBCC pastry / culinary program students came together to share challenges and successes, dreams and priorities for their businesses.

The event was hosted by the college and sponsored by BAC National.

The gathering included introductions and an engaging panel discussion on topics relevant to bakeries: Tony Holden, owner-operator of Tony’s Bistro and Patisserie in Moncton; Jacques Allain, owner-operator of Halo Donuts in Moncton; and Darren McFadgen, owner-operator of McFadgen Bakery Ltd. in Glace Bay, N.S.

The room divided into small groups and brainstormed together on the following topics:

• What are your biggest challenges?
• What are your priorities in the near future?
• What kind of event should we plan next, locally?

Challenges included finding qualified workers and managing the cost of goods, gaining cost acceptance by customers and maintaining high quality on a tight budget.

Priorities included commercializing innovation, sourcing local materials to avoid the uncertainty of shipping overseas, and building more partnerships with vendors.

Attendees would like to see more regional bakery education and technical training, tabletop events in the Atlantic region, and outreach to students and connections with future bakery and pastry chefs.

As with previous gatherings in Victoria, Winnipeg and Barrie, Ont., the session in Moncton delivered some interesting insights into the priorities of the baking trade.

An exciting golf tournament and reception followed the meeting at Lakeside Golf and Country Club in Lakeville. As sponsor of this meeting and others like it across Canada, the BAC looks forward to engaging with the grassroots of Canada’s vibrant baking and pastry community.

Photos: Mike Raftus

Atlantic Chapter chair Mike Raftus welcomes attendees.

Break-out sessions uncovered common challenges and priorities.

New Brunswick Community College played host to the Moncton Town Hall on Sept. 19.

Visit baking.ca and check out BAC partners who can help you save some dough. And don’t forget, your membership with BAC also gets you a membership in the Bread Bakers Guild (BBGA) along with many other benefits.