Canadian Pizza Summit West program at Bakery Showcase

Join us at the Canadian Pizza Summit West (#canadianpizzasummit2023) and Chef of the Year Competitions at Bakery Showcase May 14-15, 2023. Summit sessions and demonstrations happen on Sunday, May 14, and the competitions (Chef and Great Pizza Box Fold-Off) take place on Monday, May 15. Don’t miss this chance to watch top chefs in action, sample their pizza, pick up ideas for your own pizzeria and meet other operators!

There are a few spots left!
Enter Chef of the Year Competition!
Enter the Great Canadian Pizza Box Fold-Off!

REGISTER NOW to attend Bakery Showcase featuring the Canadian Pizza Summit and Chef of the Year Competitions at Bakery Showcase in Vancouver May 14-15! See you there!

Watch (and share) this short video describing the competition, speaker sessions and demos!

Canadian Pizza Summit/Bakery Showcase: Education Schedule

Check out our exciting lineup of inspirational speakers, education sessions and demonstrations!

DAY 1 | SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023

Registration opens at 8:00am

8:30am – 10:00am (Session Room A)

Baking Association of Canada Annual General Meeting and Meet-and-Greet

Get up to date with the busy Baking Association of Canada and its work and activities on behalf of members. Meet the directors and chat over continental breakfast!

10:00am – 11:00am (Session Room A) Keynote Talk: Telling the Story
of Your Bakery

Learn key techniques that will help you tell better stories about your bakery and more. You will learn a simple framework for finding the best stories and the best place to tell them, without worrying about The Algorithm!

Presenter: Mark Dyck, Creator and Host of Rise Up! The Baker Podcast, Founder of Bakers4Bakers.org

10:00am – 11:00am (Session Room B) Adventures on the Great Canadian Baking Show: A Conversation with Zoya Thawer, Finalist, Great Canadian Baking Show

Zoya Thawer baked up a storm on the Great Canadian Baking Show. Zoya shares why she entered the competition, what it’s like to bake under the tent and details of her specialties. Bring your questions and get ready to be inspired by this inventive baker!

Moderator: Dina Hamed, Pastry Chef, BAC Volunteer

Speaker: Zoya Thawer, Great Canadian Baking Show

11:00am – 12:00noon (Session Room A) Panel: Women in Baking

Sponsored by Ardent Mills

Day 1 of Bakery Showcase is Mother’s Day. We will celebrate three successful women who lead in the dynamic baking industry. You will learn what gives these leaders the drive to succeed, what stumbling blocks they faced and how they overcame them, what education and support system they found in the industry

Moderator: Elaine O’Doherty, Marketing Lead, Ardent Mills Canada

Panellists:
Mary Mackay, Vice-President Innovation and Production of Product Development, Terra Foods Inc., Vancouver, B.C.

Babette Kourelos, Cookbook Author and Owner, Babette’s Bread, Langley, B.C.

Tracey Muzzolini, Co-Owner, Christies Bakery, Saskatoon, Sask.

11:00am – 12:00noon (Session Room B) Focus on The Sourdough Library with Jan Willem Groen
Sponsored by Puratos

Sourdough expert Jan Willem Groen will give a presentation on Puratos’ world-famous Sourdough Library where sourdoughs are preserved for future generations, followed by a lively interview with Karen Bornarth of the Bread Bakers Guild of America.

Presenter: Jan Willem Groen, Product Manager Sapore Sourdoughs, Puratos

Moderator: Karen Bornarth, Executive Director, Bread Bakers Guild of America

12:00noon – 12:45pm (Main Stage Demos)
Demonstration: Sourdough Magic
Sponsored by Puratos

Bringing the magic of sourdough to the stage – Puratos’ Technical Advisors Michael Ranaudo and Tony Amaro will show you how to incorporate Puratos’ newest Whole Wheat Sourdough (Sapore Leo) into a delicious whole grain bread. You will also learn other ways that Puratos incorporates their passion for sourdough into their portfolio to bring differentiation, health, taste and freshness to the Canadian baking Industry.

1:00pm – 2:00pm (BAC booth 109) Renowned Chef and Author
Bruno Feldeisen, Great Canadian
Baking Show
Bruno Feldheisen will sign copies of his book, Baking With Bruno. at the Baking Association of Canada booth. Come by!

2:00pm – 3:00pm (Session Room A) Technical Talk: Why Damaged Starch Is a Must Parameter in Flour Specifications for Bakers

Presenter: Dr. M. Hikmet Boyacioglu, Applications Development Specialist, KPM Analytics, Cereals & Grains Association

Control of starch damage at a moderate level is essential in flour and any kind of bread production, and consequently, damaged starch content of flour should be included in flour procurement specification. This presentation will explain the importance of damaged starch from the baker’s point of view and current damaged starch determination methods.

11:00am – 5:00pm
Trade Show Floor Opens 

11:00am – 11:30am
(Bakery Showcase Main Stage)
Official Opening Ceremony

Join government dignitaries, baking industry and trade organizations as the Baking Association of Canada officially welcomes the world to Bakery Showcase 2023!

11:45am – 12:30pm
(FCC Networking Lounge)
International Visitors
Meet-and-Greet

We invite our international visitors to join as at the FCC Networking Lounge. Please RSVP info@baking.ca!

12:00noon – 5:00pm
(Bakery Showcase Main Stage)

Mother’s Day Celebration Cakes Student Cake-Decorating Competition
Sponsored by Dawn Foods

Organized in collaboration with Vancouver Island University and Vancouver Community College, this unique competition will test and showcase the skills of the students from local baking programs, provide them with feedback from judges and allow them to make connections within the industry. Judging takes place Sunday, May 14, 4-5 p.m., and we’ll present the awards Monday, May 15, at 11 a.m. 

Canadian Pizza Summit
The Canadian Pizza Summit and Chef of the Year Competitions is a two-day event bringing together chefs, owners, operators, suppliers and teams from pizzerias, restaurants and bakery-cafés in Canada. It’s the only event in Canada dedicated to the art and business of making pizza, and it offers attendees exciting competitions featuring signature pizzas from dozens of pizzerias, ideas to take back to your pizzeria, opportunities to network with other pizzerias and exhibitors, check out the latest pizza-focused products and equipment and the chance to learn innovative techniques from other pizza makers!

12:00noon – 1:00pm
(Canadian Pizza Summit Stage)
Let Your Creativity Shine!

Get set for an exciting, engaging and informative demonstration of pizza-making by award-winning pizza chef Diana Cline. Diana will make a small batch of beer dough by hand, while offering tips for using different beers in pizza dough and discussing those flavour profiles. 

Presenter: Diana Cline, Owner and Partner, Diana’s Cucina and Lounge, Winnipeg, consultant to pizzeria owner/operators

1:00pm – 2:00pm (Session Room B)
The History and Culture of Pizza

Presenter: Francisco Migoya, Chef and Co-Author, Modernist Bread and
Modernist Pizza

3:00pm – 4:00pm (Session Room B)
Women in Pizza
Panel-Canada Edition

It’s no secret that the hospitality industry is male dominated, and the pizza scene is no exception. Join Modernist Cuisine’s Stephanie Swane for a special panel featuring women in the pizza industry highlighting some of their biggest champions! 

Moderator: Stephanie Swane, Publisher and Editorial Director, Modernist Cuisine

Panellists:
Diana Cline, Owner and Partner, Diana’s Cucina and Lounge, Winnipeg, Man.

Suzanne Fielden, Co-Founder, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, EarthBites Society, Vancouver, B.C.

3:00pm – 3:30pm
(Canadian Pizza Summit Stage) 

Sourdough Pizza and a Twist on International Flavours

Learn from Wild Flour Pizza Co. sourdough concepts, why they focus on sourdough crust and how they incorporate international flavours into their Butter Paneer Pizza.

Presenter: Steven Che, Wild Flour Pizza Co., Burnaby, B.C.

4:00pm – 4:30pm (Canadian Pizza Summit Stage)
Pizza Demo

When Andy Finlayson started Rebellious Tomato over 20 years ago, he wanted to create fabulous food to satisfy his family without compromising their health. Andy strives to choose organic ingredients when available that appeal to everyone.

Presenter: Andy Finlayson, 70 Pizzeria/Rebellious Tomato, North Vancouver, B.C.

1:00pm – 4:00pm
(Bakery Showcase Main Stage)

Vancouver Community College Baking Demonstrations

Watch, learn and sample the goods!

1:00pm – 2:00pm (Main Stage)
Trendy Travel Cakes

Presenter: Leanne Bentley, Instructor Baking and Pastry Arts, Vancouver Community College 

2:00pm – 3:00pm (Main Stage)
Galettes Galore

Presenter: Nav (Navkinderjit) Sidhu, Instructor Assistant, Baking and Pastry Arts, Vancouver Community College

3:00pm – 4:00pm (Main Stage)
Sourdough Surprise

Presenter: Mark Burton, Instructor, Baking and Pastry Arts, Vancouver Community College

4:00pm – 5:00pm 

(Bakery Showcase Main Stage)

Judging of Mother’s Day Celebration Cakes
Sponsored by Dawn Foods

5:00pm Trade show floor closes

6:00pm – 10:00pm

Baking Association of Canada
B.C. Chapter Captain’s Feast Dinner Cruise

The Baking Association of Canada’s BC Chapter invites you to a dinner cruise on the M.V. Abitibi. Experience elegant dining as you cruise through False Creek and into the Inner Harbour, while taking in the beautiful West Vancouver shoreline. This is a rare opportunity to network and celebrate with your friends and colleagues. Enjoy a buffet dinner and a fully licensed bar. Proceeds of this event will help support baking and pastry and culinary students: the next generation of industry professionals! Cost is $150 per person (plus tax) and space is limited. Register at baking.ca!

DAY 2 | MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

Registration opens at 8:00am

9:00am – 10:00am (Session Room A) What Does a Sustainable Business Look Like – and How Do You Get There?

Learn from a certification expert what pursuing B Corp certification can mean to bakeries and restaurants of all sizes. Discover the concrete steps that two responsible and highly successful businesses have taken to become not only sustainable but also regenerative. Discover how alignment of your values with your bakery’s purpose can help drive your business decisions toward balance and financial success and make you an employer of choice.

Moderator: Colleen Cross, Editor, Bakers Journal

Panellists:
Michelle Reid, Community Engagement and Activation Lead, B Lab US/Canada 

Matt Cimon, President of Portofino Bakery and Co-founder of Bond Bakery Brands

9:00am – 10:00am (Session Room B) Up-and-Comers: Upstart Baking Businesses to Watch

Join the always-engaging baker and podcaster Mark Dyck for a lively conversation with upstart bakeries to watch. Mark will explore how these entrepreneurs got started, their priorities, and their biggest challenges and triumphs. Aspiring bakery owners will get a sense of what really goes into opening “for real” and the old guard will be reminded of what it’s like to be starting out fresh!

Moderator: Mark Dyck, Creator and Host of Rise Up! The Baker Podcast, Founder of Bakers4Bakers.org

Panellists:
Adam Christie, Co-Owner, Working Culture Bread, Victoria, B.C.

Dayle Kennedy and Cass Helps, Co-Owners, Tall Shadow Bakery,
Vancouver, B.C.

10:00am – 11:00am (Session Room A) Paying a Living Wage

Moderator: Colleen Cross, Editor, Bakers Journal

Have you been considering paying a Living Wage at your bakery or restaurant? Anastasia French of Living Wage for Families BC will explore why this can be right for your business, walk you through the steps involved and provide concrete examples of businesses who have made the transition and become employers of choice.

Presenter: Anastasia French, Provincial Manager, Living Wage for Families BC, Vancouver

Guest Panellist: Aart Schuurman Hess, CEO of Goodly Foods, Vancouver

10:00am – 11:00am (Session Room B) 

A Formula for Thriving Businesses and Good Jobs

Learn how to improve your business performance and employee experience simultaneously by combining an investment in people with operational choices that raise the productivity, contribution and motivation of employees. 

11:00am – 5:00pm
Trade show floor opens

11:00am – 11:30am 

(Bakery Showcase Main Stage)

Mother’s Day Celebration Cakes Student Cake-Decorating Competition Awards Presentation
Sponsored by Dawn Foods 

Meet the next generation of Canadian bakers and find out whose Mother’s Day cakes impressed the judges!

2:00pm – 3:00pm (Session Room A) Sustainable Chocolate Solutions

Sponsored by Puratos

Sylvestre Awono, global business development manager of Cacao-Trace for Puratos, will deliver a presentation on the program and lead a tasting of the sustainable chocolate so bakers can understand and experience the characteristics described in the presentation.

11:00am – 4:00pm 

(Canadian Pizza Summit Stage) 

Canadian Pizza Chef of the Year West Competition 

Professional pizza makers will compete to be our next Chef of the Year West! The winner will be featured on the cover of Canadian Pizza magazine and receive a free trip to compete in the International Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas! 

Emcee: Diana Cline, Diana’s Cucina & Lounge, Winnipeg, Man.

Meet the judges:
Peter Jacobs, Certified Master Baker, Bakery Application Consultant at The Bakers Workshop, Newmarket, Ont. 
Francisco Migoya, Chef and Co-Author, Modernist Bread and Modernist Pizza
Marzia Molatore, Mamma Marzia / Bella Cibo, Langley, B.C.
Hassi Sadri, Napoli Culinary Academy and Café Napoli, Sacramento, Calif.

4:00pm – 4:30pm
(Canadian Pizza Summit Stage) 

Great Pizza Box Fold-Off

The Great Pizza Box Fold-Off is back! Enter the Great Pizza Box Fold-Off! We invite pizzerias to challenge the standing record of 10 boxes folded in 36.33 seconds by Virgil Risi of Maria’s Original Pizza, Brantford, Ont., to earn bragging rights as Canada’s top folder! Enter now at canadianpizzashow.ca!

4:30pm (Canadian Pizza Summit Stage)

Chef of the Year Awards Presentation 

Emcee: Diana Cline, Diana’s Cucina and Lounge, Winnipeg, Man.

1:00pm – 4:00pm 

(Bakery Showcase Main Stage)

Vancouver Island University Baking Demonstrations

Come watch, learn, ask questions and sample the goods!

1:00pm – 1:45pm Pastries with Leanne Bentley (Main Stage)

2:00pm – 2:45pm Galettes with Nav (Navkinderjit) Sidhu (Main Stage)

3:00pm – 3:45pm – Sourdough with Mark Burton (Main Stage)

1:00pm – 1:45pm (Main Stage)

Beekeeping and the Baker

VIU’s Aron Weber will share his insights and experience keeping bees as a pastry chef and craft a delicious dessert!

Presenter: Aron Weber, Baking and Pastry Program Chair and Instructor

2:00pm – 2:45pm (Main Stage)

Bi-Colour Lamination, Rose and Strawberry Croissants

Presenter: David Nolan, Pastry and Baking Instructor, Professional Baking and Pastry Arts, Vancouver Island University

3:00pm – 3:45pm (Main Stage)

Chocolate: More than just
Bean to Bar

Presenter: Ken Harper, Pastry Chef Instructor, Vancouver Island University

Ken Harper tells how students and faculty through Cacao Barry’s Or Noir program created a chocolate exclusive to VIU. Sample products!

Trade show floor closes 5:00pm

The Baking Association of Canada presents Bakery Showcase 2023. Thank you to sponsoring partners, AB Mauri, Ardent Mills, Bakemark, Caldic, Dawn Foods, EM Bakery Equipment, FCC, Fritsch Multivac, Lallemand and Puratos for supporting this key industry learning and networking event.

Summit Spotlight: Women in Pizza: Canada Edition

It’s no secret that the hospitality industry is male dominated, and the pizza scene is no exception.

Join Modernist Cuisine publisher and editorial director Stephanie Swane for a special panel featuring women in the pizza industry highlighting some of their biggest champions: 

Diana Cline (top right), Owner and Partner, Diana’s Cucina and Lounge, Award-winning Pizza Chef, Winnipeg

Suzanne Fielden (bottom left), Co-Founder, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, EarthBites Society, Vancouver

Gabrielle Hamelin (bottom right), Brand Manager, Pizzeria No. 900, Montreal

REGISTER NOW to attend the Canadian Pizza Summit and Chef of the Year Competitions at Bakery Showcase in Vancouver May 14-15! See you there!