VCC baking student wins big at WorldSkills

Sept. 9, 2009, VANCOUVER – Vancouver Community College baking and pastry arts student Caitlin Mayo competed against the world's best at the 2009 WorldSkills in Calgary – and she won her just desserts, bringing home a medallion of excellence and the people's choice award.

Mayo, a 20-year-old Langley resident, has been training full-time since January to prepare for this event. "I practised all day, five days a week," she says. "I love the challenge of competing against my peers," adds Mayo who started competing in 2006 at the regional Skills Canada.

Her preparations paid off. Mayo represented Canada against 13 other countries in the confectioner/pastry cook category and was awarded a medallion of excellence for receiving more than 500 points during the recent four-day competition. "I am so proud of her and her dedication," says Nancy McRae, Mayo's trainer and VCC instructor.

"VCC has been wonderful to me, and the instructors are amazing and very supportive," says Mayo, who had to create everything from marzipan to chocolate and plated desserts to cakes during the international competition.

"My job was to take care of everything so she could concentrate on her training," says McRae.

Mayo plans to continue learning her craft to achieve the inter-provincial Red Seal certification. Her future dreams include opening her own business. "I love what I do, and that is what keeps me motivated," says Mayo.

WorldSkills International 2009 hosted 1,000 competitors from 50 countries last week with a mandate to promote vocational and skilled trades training. All competitors are under 22 years old.

Vancouver Community College provides training in baking and pastry arts with specialties in patisserie and advanced baking as well as programs for high school students and ESL learners.

More information about Vancouver Community College is available at www.vcc.ca.