Dubai / UAE. (div) Baking professionals from the Middle East and beyond are honing their skills in batter, biscuit, bread and all manner of baking techniques in preparation for the first Middle East Baking Demonstrations scheduled to run during Gulfood 2010. The region´s largest trade-only exhibition for the food, beverage and hospitality industry takes place from 21 to 24 February at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), with participation from more than 3’300 international suppliers.
The demonstrations, which are being organised as part of a close collaboration between the recently-formed Baking + Pastry Guild Middle East, will showcase the skills, techniques and baking innovations of participating bakers and chefs in a purpose-built bakery theatre created by Baking Technologies.
The Baking + Pastry Guild Middle East has partnered with Gulfood 2010 for its first major public event to connect with a targeted audience of chefs, buyers, distributors and manufacturers. The guild provides bakers and pastry chefs with access to training seminars, competitions and quarterly newsletters, as well as future bakery and pastry lunches and dinners.
«Providing a platform to showcase industry innovation and facilitating knowledge sharing are integral elements of Gulfood and this year´s introduction of the Middle East Baking Demonstrations is an excellent example of this. Baked products, especially bread, form the culinary cornerstone for cultures around the world, so interest in this sector is likely to be strong», said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood.
Running alongside Gulfood is Ingredients Middle East, a dedicated exhibition covering every aspect of the industry including the process and supply of raw materials, cultivating ingredients and the insertion of ingredients to the final product. The number of bakery ingredients companies has tripled within the show this year in-line with the significant growth in the ingredients sector in the Middle East.
Leading bakery companies will be demonstrating master techniques, whether in artisan breads, perfect pastries or creative cookie making. Trade visitors will be able to learn new skills from the international demonstrators who will be manning the baking theatre during the four day exhibition.
Brian Ballinger, a member of the Baking + Pastry Guild Middle East, who is organising the event said: «The opportunity provided by Gulfood to target the professionals in our sector of the industry cannot be matched, and we are delighted to be working together to introduce the first Middle East Baking Demonstrations. Successful baking is reliant on a combination of top quality ingredients, special skills and closely guarded secrets – we hope to share all with our fellow professionals during the demonstrations».
