TORONTO – The Baking Association of Canada – Ontario Chapter has established a $100,000 endowment in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts at Centennial College. The endowment will fund scholarships for students that will help them overcome financial barriers and promote academic and career success in the field of commercial baking.
"We are truly committed to a legacy of nurturing educational relationships through our scholarship to the baking programs at Centennial and to the students who will one day be the future of our industry," said Dan Peroff, Chair, Baking Association of Canada – Ontario Chapter. The partnership with the Baking Association of Canada (BAC) is a key example of collaboration between industry and education to give incoming students the opportunity to become well-trained professionals in a thriving sector of the Canadian economy.
Centennial College has enjoyed a close relationship with the Baking Association of Canada since 2013. The member-run organization has been an annual donor to Centennial's baking programs that are geared to careers in the commercial baking industry. Members of the BAC – Ontario also serve on the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts scholarship campaign cabinet as part of Centennial's $50-million fundraising initiative, IMPACT.
"We value the relationship we have developed with the Baking Association of Canada," said Joe Baker, Dean of the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts. "This generous gift will enable working dreams to become living realities for our students and promote the incredible opportunities in the commercial baking industry."
In September 2016, Centennial will be opening a spectacular new facility for the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts that will feature several state-of-the-art experiential learning environments. The new commercial baking lab will be named in honour of the Baking Association of Canada – Ontario Chapter.
The lab will be used exclusively by students enrolled in the Baking and Pastry Arts Management and Baking Pre-Employment programs. It will feature equipment typically found in large-quantity production baking facilities, making it a truly unique learning space that will prepare Centennial graduates to be work-ready.
Based in Toronto, the Baking Association of Canada is the national trade association representing the Canadian baking industry. It is governed by its provincial members who represent various areas of the industry, including retail, in-store and wholesale/ commercial baking companies, along with the allied trades.
Source: Centennial College 