Partnership begins with workshop

The College played host to a workshop for some of the area's top craft bakers recently, marking the start of a new partnership with a leading international chocolate manufacturer.

The school of bakery has teamed up with Beverley Dunkley, head of the UK Academy at Barry Callebaut, to develop a partnership over the next two years which will promote the use of chocolate in the baking industry.

The workshop marked the first activity of the new project, with Beverly demonstrating a range of chocolate products to local bakers who had been invited in.

Among those who attended was Richard Ashmore, of Amerton Bakery, who said: "I found the workshop very interactive and enjoyable and I'm sure the work will benefit my business."

With annual sales of more than £1.6bn in the 2005/06 financial year, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa, chocolate and confectionery products. It operates more than 30 production facilities in 25 countries and employs approximately 8,000 people.

The College's head of bakery, Dawn Gemmell, said: "I'm really looking forward to working with Beverley Dunkley of Barry Callebaut – the partnership will be good for both of us and good for our industry."