Bakery Showcase 2020

Last year’s Bakery Showcase featured discussions dealing with issues such as the front- of-package labeling laws and concerns for automation to replace artisan bakeries.

Paul Hetherington, the president and CEO of the Baking Association of Canada (BAC) has worked tirelessly with to bring a range of business experts, ingredient leaders and equipment providers under one roof. Hetherington and his staff organized the event to educate baking industry professionals and bring the best in Canada’s baking world under one roof.

Every year, the speakers focus on topics of interest to both expert and start-up bakeries. This year’s speakers will focus on opportunity spaces for growth and business strategies to help bakers gain insights to building their business and developping strategies and best practices to grow their company.

Topics this year are will focus on the business of baking; John Chan of Pearl Strategies and Innovative Design Inc. will discuss “ten trends and technologies” that will affect those in the baking industry.

Mitchell Osak from MNP will outline the key developments that will impact Canadian bakers. His session promises to help attendees learn from other bakeries and food manufacturing industries. Attendees will learn key tips to help improve efficiencies and grow profits.

Future bakers, such as students of L’École Hôtelière De La Montérégie demonstrate their skills at the Bakery Showcase.

Of course, no Bakery Showcase would be complete without revealing the winner of the annual Jake The Baker contest. Each year, the founding sponsor, Ardent Mills and Bakers Journal receive entries from all across Canada. Bakers describe their commitment to their neighbourhood and their craft; They are the backbone of Canada’s economy; entrepreneurs are more likely to start a new bakery than any other industry. The contest celebrates who did something special with their bakery, forged personal connections to their clients or created an innovative take on pastry or bread.

Last year’s Jake the Baker winner was Dooher’s Bakery from Campbellford, ON. They raised funds for their local hospital, contributed day old goods to the school and were generally seen as a pillar of their community.

The Jake the Baker award would not be possible without Ardent Mills sponsorship. The company’s core values of community and spirit are in focus in the search for 2020’s Jake The Baker’s entries. Without Ardent Mills, the founding sponsor, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate the best in Canadian baking.

The BAC, Bakers Journal, the judges of the Jake the Baker Contest and the countless hands who helped organize 2020’s Showcase feels that this year will be its best show, yet.