The Welsh baking industry will discuss key issues facing the sector at the second annual Welsh Baking Conference, which will be held in Cardiff at the start of March.
Organised by ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University, the conference will focus on the theme of the ‘Past, Present and Future’ and will see bakeries, industry bodies, food science students and equipment and ingredient suppliers meet to share their perspectives on the issues facing the sector in Wales.
Attendees will hear from industry speakers including John Lamper, bakery specialist for Tesco, who will discuss the present and future of Tesco in-store bakeries. Robb MacKie, CEO of Forti Global Strategies and ex-president and CEO of the American Bakers Association, will talk about macroeconomic trends and how to “navigate them effectively to achieve growth”.
Other speakers include Patrick Williams, president of the Craft Bakers Association; Dr Sara Autton, technical bakery consultant; Martin Sutherland, marketing director at ZERO2FIVE; John Foster, managing director of Fosters Bakery; and Dr Hulya Dogan, head of the Department of Grain Science at Kansas State University.
A pre-conference dinner will be held the evening before the conference at the Principality Stadium, giving members of the baking sector the “opportunity to socialise”.
Professor David Lloyd, director at ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, said: “On the back of the success of last year’s event, which was attended by over 160 people, we’re looking forward to hosting the second ever Welsh Baking Conference. We believe this event in the Welsh baking calendar provides an important opportunity for members of the sector to come together and discuss the issues it faces.”
Lee Pugh, head of baking at ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, said: “Whether you’re a small craft bakery or large manufacturer, this year’s conference will be relevant to your business. With a theme of the ‘Past, Present and Future’ we’ll be looking at the challenges currently facing the sector, opportunities on the horizon, and learnings from the past.”
