People on the Move: July 2007

President of Weston bakeries honoured, Haynes finalist in Women Who Inspire awards, Syscan appoints COO, Cereplast expands production team, Humber students receive bursariesCanadian-Nordic Junior Culinary Challenge, RBA elects new president

President of Weston bakeries honoured
John Cowles, president of George Weston Ltd., received the National Kashrut (Kosher) Leadership Award from the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU) at their 109th anniversary dinner in New York.  The relationship between George Weston Bakeries and OU Kosher goes back many years, supporting programming and service initiatives.

Haynes finalist in Women Who Inspire awards
Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) announced their finalists for the 2007 Women Who Inspire awards program, which recognizes those who have demonstrated excellence and innovation across a number of culinary areas, including “growing or producing from nature’s bounty,” where Linda Haynes, co-founder of ACE Bakery, Toronto, Ont., is one of four nominees. The official announcement of the winners will be made on Nov. 4, when Haynes could be the recipient of the WCR Golden Plow Award.

Syscan appoints COO
Joseph Tassone has been appointed chief operating officer of Syscan International Inc., a unique supply chain solution provider that delivers integrated, real-time tracking and tracing systems using RFID. The COO is a new position, deepening the company’s management team in order to undertake various new market initiatives. Axel Striefler, president and CEO, said, “Tassone’s impressive and wide-ranging experience and technical expertise is something we can fully leverage as we build Syscan.”

Cereplast expands production team
Dr. Thomas Bash has joined the management team of Cereplast, Inc., as vice-president of Engineering and Production.  Cereplast, manufacturer of proprietary bio-based renewable plastics, is scaling up its production capacity to meet increased customer demand. Dr. Bash will play a key role in the expansion and ongoing R and D efforts.  “Dr. Bash brings a unique processing background to the company that will be key to our commercial success,” said Frederic Scheer, CEO and founder of Cereplast.

Humber students receive bursaries
Two of Humber College’s culinary students were honoured to receive the Chef Masters Bursary Award from Compass Group Canada:  Dawn Nita, of the Culinary Skills program, and Kenneth Wong, of the Culinary Management Diploma program. The bursaries, valued at $1,700 each, recognize students who exhibit a high level of practical skills, have an honours standing and demonstrate initiative, leadership and dedication to the culinary industry.

Canadian-Nordic Junior Culinary Challenge
Lisa Mueller, a graduating student in Humber’s Culinary Management Diploma program, will be a member of the Canadian team participating in the Canada-Nordic Junior Culinary Challenge. The competition is part of the Canadian Culinary Federation’s (CCFFCC) National Convention, where Canada competes against a team from one of the Northern European countries – Norway, Sweden Finland, Denmark or Iceland.  In addition to fostering a culinary exchange between the Northern countries, it will also promote healthy food choices with fish and seafood being used as the primary menu ingredients.

RBA elects new president
The Retail Bakers of America elected Michael Kalupa as president, succeeding Bill Mihu. Kalupa is owner of Kalupa’s Bakery in Tampa, Fla., founded in 1979, and a family affair.