Puratos UK partner with Sheffield and Cardiff university to inspire the next general of bakers.
Vicci Forward, Patisserie Applications Specialist at Puratos UK tells us what this initiative means to her.
I have been passionate about patisserie for as long as I can remember I ran my own cake business for 13 years, in both the UK and Australia, where I blogged about international cake trends, and having the chance to work with such talented students is really inspiring and getting the opportunity to spend some time seeing their creativity in action is something that I am so proud to be a part of.
The future of bakery is hugely important to all of us at Puratos, we are growing our collaborations with various institutions with the desire to support the future of the bakery industry and holding a firm and good reputation for studying future trends and customer insights, It is invaluable to hear from those who will succeed in this industry.
Building a great relationship between the students and Puratos is key, helping them at the beginning of their careers and into their working lives, we want them to be confident that Puratos will support them with technical expertise in the products and great support from their advisors’ experience.
My highlight has been meeting such enthusiastic individuals they are so inspiring; we are still early in the relationship, and I can’ t wait to see what ideas they have for Puratos’ innovative ingredients.
What is next? - Watch this space for great ideas and new applications!
Hear from next generation baker; Nishitha Kannan
Why did you choose to become a baker? And what would be your dream job?
Bakery products are of global need nowadays. There is no place without bread. The importance of bakery and the products are getting valued day by day. “I feel my contribution towards one of the most demanding products would be great and that is why I chose to become a baker.”
My dream job is to work in a bakery unit in a Research and Development firm or as a Product Development Specialist, where I can develop new bakery products and make the product seek its marketplace.
What made you choose this particular course you’re taking?
The course that I am currently pursuing is Masters in Food Science and Technology with a specialization in New product Development. I already have 1 year of work experience in NPD where I was working as a Product development assistant in a Food product development consultancy. There I was developing food products in various fields including; bakery, diary, confectionary, beverages and so on. I felt the field of work to be so interesting and to enhance more and to become professionally strong in this field, I chose this course.
“Getting this opportunity to work as a Next-generation baker for Puratos is another best thing that happened and I hope I can give my best.”
What made you choose this particular course you’re taking?
The course that I am currently pursuing is Masters in Food Science and Technology with a specialization in New product Development. I already have 1 year of work experience in NPD where I was working as a Product development assistant in a Food product development consultancy. There I was developing food products in various fields including; bakery, diary, confectionary, beverages and so on. I felt the field of work to be so interesting and to enhance more and to become professionally strong in this field, I chose this course.
What’s been your favourite thing about it so far?
When I was working as NPD assistant, we developed premium biscuits to launch abroad. That was successful and the client approved the biscuits of 6 flavours in one shot and it is under the process of bringing it to the market. This is where I craved more passion towards this field.
What is your favourite product to make?
My favourite product to make is bakery products, confectionary and beverages
“Particularly different varieties of bakery products, chocolates like natural compound chocolates, dairy-free chocolates, current demands for food like immunity shots, immunity biscuits, and so on.”
If you could create the ultimate bakery item – what would that be?
I have seen this concept of lactation cookies that are being in trend for right a few years all over the world. Being it healthy and a good snack for pregnant and lactating women’s I hope that product has a higher acceptance rate in the marketplace.
Also, rusk (double-baked bread) is a low-cost product with high demand. Developing different flavours of rusk as a perfect snack for tea and for children’s is another bakery item that I wish to develop.
What is the best bakery item you have ever eaten?
There are literally uncountable bakery items that I have had. Among that I feel Choco chip cookies, rusk with cardamon and coconut biscuits are the best bakery item that I have had.
What are your career plans for the future?
My future career plan is to work for a food related company in the field of New Product Development or in a research and development firm. I want to develop food products with nutritional benefits which will have a good market among customers. It feels so pleasured and prestigious to see the product that we develop in the market.
Read next weeks’ blog for the next in our series of ‘meet the next generation bakers
