International bakery ingredient company’s first U.S. Bakery School Wins Top Honors at the event
Pennsauken, NJ (September 16, 2022) – Puratos U.S., a leading bakery ingredient company, will celebrate all things baking at the Artisan Marketplace, crafted by Puratos, at this year’s International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) beginning September 17. And, at the expo’s BEST in Baking Awards, Puratos U.S. is set to take home top honors in the workforce development category for its new Bakery School in Pennsauken High School.
In addition to Puratos’ booth 3644, the Artisan Marketplace—just across the aisle at booth 3645—will be an interactive hub providing hands-on experiences for attendees looking to hone their artisan baking skills.
“Puratos is looking forward to returning to the Artisan Marketplace, a space that will both inspire and educate current and future bakers,” said Andy Brimacombe, president, Puratos U.S. & Pennant Ingredients. “It is focused on helping industry professionals explore new ways to meet consumers’ changing needs.”
In addition to products and techniques, the Marketplace will be focused on sustainability, responsible sourcing and training for the next generation of bakers, offering presentations, demonstrations and product sampling. Show-goers can explore delicious, sweet goods with unique stories, a sourdough library with starters inspired by sourdoughs from around the world and responsibly sourced chocolates.
“We’re looking forward to diving deep into the science of baking with IBIE attendees this year,” Brimacombe added. “As a company, we have a wealth of history, research and data that we constantly pull from to create innovative products. We’re excited to showcase our work and bring leading experts from around the world to IBIE to talk about cutting edge ideas for the industry – from baking sustainably to grain preservation.”
A key feature of the Artisan Marketplace, crafted by Puratos is the Sourdough Library. Part of The Sourdough Experience demonstration, attendees will be able to access Puratos’ Sourdough Library through the magic of virtual reality and get a first-hand look at historic sourdough samples from the Library in Belgium.
The Demonstration Theater at the heart of the Marketplace will have a full schedule of hands-on presentations and workshops. Speakers and presenters include, Karl De Smedt, The Sourdough Librarian; Glenn Roberts, Anson Mills; Sylvestre Awono, Cacao-Trace; Fran Costigan, Rouxbe Culinary School; Coinneach MacLeod, The Hebridean Baker; and Sebastian Canonne, The French Pastry School.
A highlight of the show will take place at the RBA Bakers Center’s Presentation Stage, where Puratos is set to receive the 2022 BEST in Baking award for Workforce Development in honor of its first Bakery School in the U.S. Located at Pennsauken High School in Pennsauken, New Jersey, the school is seamlessly integrated into the existing curriculum, providing a four-year course of study consisting of 1,600 hours of classwork in the disciplines of bakery, patisserie and chocolate. The program equips students with the skills necessary for immediate employment, as well as a Certificate in Baking & Pastry and industry-recognized certification from the Retail Bakers of America.
Developed through the Puratos Bakery School Foundation, the initiative is part of the company’s global commitment to making life-changing social contributions that move the planet forward and support future generations. Since launching this initiative in 2016, Puratos has opened six Bakery Schools across the globe. Locations include India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Romania and the Philippines. In 2022, 357 students will be enrolled in a Puratos bakery school, on their way to becoming professional bakers. The bakery schools have graduated 258 students to-date.
About Puratos
Puratos is an international group, which offers a full range of innovative food ingredients and services for the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors. Serving artisans, retailers, industrial and food service companies in over 100 countries around the world, Puratos headquarters is in Belgium, where the company was founded in 1919. The company’s U.S. headquarters are located in Pennsauken, New Jersey where it founded Puratos for Purpose, its local corporate social responsibility program. Puratos aims to help customers be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences gathered from food cultures around the world into new opportunities. Together, we move the planet forward by creating innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. For further information, visit www.puratos.com.
