While commercial baking relies on skills, productivity, and innovation, networking is also an important part of this industry. That’s why attending industry events, like the American Society of Baking’s BakingTECH, are important for professional bakers. This conference, known to many as the Best Week in Baking, invites experts, industry leaders, and professionals from around the world to discuss the latest advancements, innovations, and challenges facing the industry. 

In this episode of BAKED in Science, Dr. Lin Carson speaks to Kristen Spriggs (https://bakerpedia.com/asb-announces-new-executive-director-ahead-of-bakingtech-2023/), Executive Director at The American Society of Baking, about what’s new at Baking TECH 2024 alongside collaborations with BAKERpedia (https://bakerpedia.com/bakerpedia-donates-its-encyclopedia-of-knowledge-to-asb-to-collaborate-and-foster-knowledge-sharing-in-the-baking-industry/).

What to expect at BakingTECH 2024?

Some topics covered include:
Celebrating 100 years of the American Society of Baking
Benefits of becoming a member of ASB
Year-long learning opportunities
ASB’s regional meet-ups
The newly re-launched Ambassador program
Encouraging making new connections

Baked In Science

EP83: Making Connections at BakingTECH 2024

From regulation compliance to pushing for sustainability (https://bakerpedia.com/baking-for-a-sustainable-future/), today’s bakers have a lot on their plates outside of producing their delicious baked goods. Founded in 1932, the Baking Association of Canada (BAC) is a Canadian national baking industry association governed by the members. Over the decades, the BAC (https://www.baking.ca) has been hard at working, supporting bakeries of all sizes in these endeavors through education, advocacy, and much more.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by Martin Barnett, Executive Director of the Baking Association of Canada, to discuss the BAC and the upcoming Bakery Showcase trade show on May 5th - 6th in Toronto. 

A Peek Inside the Canadian Baking Industry

Some topics covered include:
How the Baking Association of Canada helps bakers
Advocating for Canadian bakers
What to expect at Bakery Showcase
Where artisan baking and bakery technology meet
Regional BAC events

Ep84: Celebrating Canadian Bakers

The plant-based food trend has been growing steadily since 2017 when its market was valued at $3.9 billion. As of 2023, this market was valued at $8.1 billion with more consumers demanding plant-based alternatives, whether for ecological or ethical reasons. In the baking industry, plant-based baked goods (https://bakerpedia.com/the-plant-based-revolution-in-patisserie/) continue to be in high demand, with many citing reasons such as dietary restrictions, allergens, sustainability, and cost reduction.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, Mark is joined by Morgan Keim and Brock Kuhlman of Plantible (https://www.plantiblefoods.com). Plantible is unlocking the power of plants to promote the health and longevity of people and the planet. They work with pioneering food brands to create better plant-based products that are affordable, tasty, and nutritious, making animal-based protein the less desirable alternative.

Going Plant-Based for the Planet
As they discuss plant-based protein alternatives, some topics covered include:
Creating sustainable food systems
RuBisCo (Rubi Protein™) Protein
Consumer trend toward plant-based for health reasons
Egg price volatility
The science behind egg replacement
Gluten-free enhancement
Rubi Whisk™ to replace eggs in a variety of baked goods
Innovating with ingredient solutions

This podcast is brought to you by:

Malt Products

This podcast is made possible by Malt Products, a family business that manufactures and distributes a full line of natural, nutritious grain extracts and sweeteners. They source their extracts from whole grains and offer a full range of other sweeteners, available with non-GMO and organic certification. Learn more at www.maltproducts.com

EP87: Plant Your Bread, Cakes, and Muffins

Shortening (https://bakerpedia.com/ingredients/shortening/) is a commonly used ingredient in commercial baking, which helps produce moist and soft baked goods. However, this ingredient can come coupled with challenges such as off-flavors, rising costs, and not appealing to health-conscious consumers. Fortunately, enzymes can offer bakers solutions for these issues.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by Dipak Roda, Senior Vice President of Market & Business Development at Enzyme Innovation (https://bakerpedia.com/enzyme-innovation/). Enzyme Innovation is a research-driven true manufacturer with more than 67 years of manufacturing experience, and unparalleled expertise in industrial probiotics and enzymes.

Improving Texture and Shelf Life with Enzymes

As they discuss fat reduction, some topics covered include:
Eco-friendly enzyme solutions
Using enzymes in corn and flour tortillas
The growing tortilla market
The benefits of reducing shortening
Shelf-life extension using enzymes
Fat reduction possibilities in muffins

This podcast is brought to you by:

Enzyme Innovation

Need to improve the foldability, rollability, and texture of tortillas? Enzyme Innovation can help with SEBake LO™ a powerful enzyme blend that can mimic shortening function when replacing up to 33% of shortening in wheat flour tortillas. Call (909) 203-4620 or visit enzymeinnovation.com to learn more!

EP91: Less Shortening, More Foldability

Seasonal baking opens up exciting possibilities for commercial bakers to captivate customers, drive sales, and maintain a competitive edge. Tailoring your bakery’s offerings to each season keeps your bakery both relevant and irresistible. Of course, crafting these seasonal delights (https://bakerpedia.com/festive-bakes-and-seasonal-treats/) demands more than creativity. it calls for technical skill in formulation, precise processing, and rigorous quality control to ensure each treat is perfectly executed.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by three other baking industry professionals to discuss a baker to baker approach to seasonal baking.

Richard Charpentier has over 35 years of extensive bakery experience in snacks and breads. Classically trained as a French baker and Certified Master Baker, he has gone on to include bakery science, grain milling and food history in his repertoire. He is currently the CEO of Baking Innovation (https://baking-innovation.com), finding practical uses for emerging innovations and technologies.

Denise Stemmler is a Technical Sales Representative at Bakers And Us (http://www.bakersandus.ca/en/). Bakers & Us is a full service wholesale distribution expert, servicing the bakery and pastry industries of the Greater Toronto Area. 

Peter Jacobs is a highly skilled RBA Certified Master Baker with over 40 years of baking experience. He uses his experience in the bakery and food production industry at his company, The Bakers Workshop (https://thebakersworkshop.ca), to consult clients in product development, production-line application, economic production efficiencies, formula development, and mentoring recruits.

The Change of Seasons in the Bakery

Some topics covered include:
Bakery preparation for the holidays
Leveraging current technology
Ingredient cost considerations for seasonal baking
Learning from other bakers
Baking regulation and certification
Artisanal techniques in seasonal baking


This podcast is brought to you by:

Enzyme Innovation

Enzyme Innovation can help you extend shelf-life and prolong softness in your baked goods with SEBake Fresh Ultra™, Enzyme Innovation's proven, high-performing Maltogenic Amylase. Call (909) 203-4620 or visit enzymeinnovation.com to learn more!

EP92: The Baker to Baker Approach

In the baking industry, each step, bit of expertise, and technical skill plays a vital role in achieving excellence. Whether you’re an experienced baker aiming to grow your enterprise or an enthusiastic home baker preparing to venture into commercial production, the path to success has both obstacles and possibilities. This is where a bakery consultant (https://bakerpedia.com/elevate-your-baking-business-with-a-bakery-consultant/) proves invaluable, serving as a trusted partner to navigate challenges and open the gateway to success.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by Garteth Armanius, Technical Director, and Victoria Yeung, Senior Project Manager, at PreScouter. PreScouter (https://www.prescouter.com) provides research support services to help business leaders make better R&D, product development, and corporate development decisions. They are a global network of aspiring and accomplished scientists, engineers, economists, analysts, industry experts, and developers who share a common ambition: to apply academic and industry knowledge and problem-solving skills to challenges faced in industry.

Offering Insights to Baking Industry Challenges

Some topics covered include:

The history of PreScouter
Formulating good baking questions 
Collaborating with bakery experts
Technologies to improve shelf life and ingredient sourcing 
Tools to analyze consumer reviews and pain points
Advising bakers beyond the research

This podcast is brought to you by:

Goodway Technologies

Goodway Technologies is a leading manufacturer of specialty cleaning and sanitation solutions engineered specifically for food and beverage production facilities such as Bakeries. These solutions include industrial dry steam cleaners, automated conveyor belt cleaning systems, alcohol atomizing mist spray systems, and industrial vacuums such as explosion-proof, HEPA, and wet/dry. See the Goodway difference with a free onsite demo. 
Call us today - 1-800-333-7467 or visit www.Goodway.com to learn more.

EP94: Tackling Baking Challenges with Research Consultants

Artificial intelligence is getting a lot of attention these days, and many are wondering how it can be harnessed to help today’s bakers. While it’s too soon to understand the full extent of AI’s capabilities, this technology is already being used to reduce product loss (https://bakerpedia.com/how-to-avoid-product-loss/), boost quality assurance (https://bakerpedia.com/food-safety/quality-assurance/), and much more in bakery plants.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by five bakery experts to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in the baking industry and how it can be used to improve yield and productivity, as well as minimize waste in bakery plants. 

As a Certified Executive Coach with over 20 years in the bakery manufacturing industry, Dr. Lin Carson has pioneered the way for knowledge sharing through BAKERpedia. Starting with a BSc degree in Food Science & Technology from The Ohio State University, and a MSc and PhD from the Department of Grain Science at Kansas State University. She has led teams for bakery manufacturing companies like Wendy’s International and Dave’s Killer Bread. 

A career baker, Jim Little has more than 30 years of experience in a wide variety of products and production methods within the baking industry. Currently, he is the Senior Vice President of R&D and CI at CraftMark Bakery (https://www.craftmarkbakery.com) in Indianapolis, he has been challenged to develop an even deeper knowledge of formulation and production across frozen bread dough, cookies, muffins and flatbread.

Yuegang Zhao is the Chief Commercial Officer for KPM Analytics (https://bakerpedia.com/kpm-analytics/), a global quality assurance and food safety solutions provider serving food, agriculture, and environmental industries. Yuegang has over 20 years of extensive global experience creating, developing, and growing enterprise value in various industries ranging from aerospace to fluid analysis.

Phillip Stringer is the founder of Comprehensive Process Solutions, LLC (https://bakerpedia.com/comprehensive-process-solutions/), and an accomplished Engineering and R&D professional with 14 years of experience in the Food, Agriculture, and Pharmaceutical industries. His global expertise, gained from working in over 30 countries across six continents, equips him with a deep understanding of diverse client needs.

Tremaine Hartranft, Vice President of Technical Growth and Strategy, is responsible for supporting the development of the vision, value and organizational structure at Reading Bakery Systems (https://www.readingbakery.com). Prior to joining Reading Bakery Systems, Tremaine worked at Brentwood Industries as a Research & Development Engineer, and at Lucent Technologies as a Process Analyst.

How AI Can Help the Baking Industry

Some topics covered include:
Utilizing artificial intelligence to automate standard operating procedures
Leveraging AI during the formulation process
Vision inspection systems for improving quality 
The opportunity to use data for predictive maintenance
Training AI to keep production standards up while experts are away
The challenges of confidentiality around data sharing
Developing an AI strategy for your bakery


EP96: AI Automation in the Baking Industry

Sugar reduction is a hot topic for bakers looking to meet current market trends and satisfy health-conscious consumers’ demands. However, bakers know that sugar (https://bakerpedia.com/ingredients/sugar/) is a critical ingredient in many baked goods, including cakes, pastries, and cookies. It not only provides a sweet taste and influences flavor perception but also has several important functional properties, which are vital to bear in mind when reducing or replacing sugar.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by Dr. Julia DesRochers, Senior Principal Scientist at Tate & Lyle. Tate & Lyle is a world leader in ingredient solutions for healthier food and beverages, operating for over 165 years. They work with customers via their low and no-calorie sweeteners (https://bakerpedia.com/ingredients/sweeteners/), gut-friendly fibers, and texturants to create smooth or crunchy, creamy or airy products, among other ingredient solutions.

Maintaining Sweetness Without The Sugar

During their conversion about sugar reduction, some topics covered include:
Sugar replacement in baking
Considerations for sugar reduction
Rebalancing the functional properties of sugar in formulations
Factoring in digestive tolerance numbers
Combining sweeteners to maximize texture
Adding soluble and insoluble fibers 
Selecting starches for optimal thickening and gelatinization

EP97: Sweet Baking Solutions

Scaling up is the process of moving from small product batches to large-scale, high output production. As small and artisan bakeries seek to expand business opportunities, production scaling (https://bakerpedia.com/how-thermal-profiling-can-help-scale-up-bread-production/) is one of the major challenges these operations may face. Fortunately, there are experts who can help guide you through the process of scaling your bakery business.

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by Jacinta Kemboi, Senior Food Scientist and Director of Product Development and Innovation at Cama Research & Development Consulting. Cama Research (https://camaresearch.com) aims to support small health food businesses to navigate growth with ease. They offer the support and strategy necessary to allow health food businesses thrive in a landscape that demands clarity and confidence.


Maximizing Growth and Scaling Bakery Businesses

Some topics covered include:
The pitfalls of scaling a food business
Shelf-life considerations
Putting together relevant documentation
The importance of costing
Leaning on your network and resources
Gaining support through consultants

EP98: Scaling Up in the Bakery

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have become commonplace in the fast-paced world of today, as the food industry’s answer to consumer demand for convenience. In recent years, there has been growing concern for how these foods may be affecting public health. 

In this episode of BAKED in Science, host Mark Floerke is joined by Bogdan Dobraszczyk, retired research fellow. Bodgan has worked in the cereals industry for many years as a research scientist at Rank Hovis MacDougall Research Centre, and then as a Research Fellow at the Reading University where he developed and worked on many research projects on dough rheology and baking. 

A Closer Look at Ultra-processed Foods

While discussing ultra-processed foods, some topics covered include:
How UPF relates to clean label (https://bakerpedia.com/processes/clean-label/)
Current health scare about ultra-processed foods
The xanthan gum conundrum
A hunger for natural alternatives 
Retail industry’s interest in the UPF concern
Lack of definitions for clean label

This podcast is brought to you by:

Brabender

This episode is brought to you by Brabender A Brand of Anton Paar. Since 1923, Brabender has been a leading manufacturer of instruments for testing material quality and physical characteristics in all fields of research and development and production in the baking industry worldwide. Brabender is now operating as Anton Paar. To learn more, visit www.anton-paar.com

EP99: Health Concerns Around Ultra-processed Foods

Setting up shop where baking and science meet, this podcast is focused on all the technical aspects of the commercial baking industry. It covers everything from food safety, ingredient and equipment solutions and innovation. With guests from all corners of the industry, talking on some of the hottest topics and trends, BAKED in Science is right in the midst of the mix!

New tracks tagged #commercial baking