History in the baking

A Dunedin baker is hoping to rise to the occasion when he rubs shoulders with the world’s best bakers in France.

In a first for New Zealand a Dunedin baker has been invited to judge the Bakery World Cup in Paris next year.

Owner of Gilbert’s Fine Foods Kevin Gilbert, also a Dunedin city councillor, has been chosen to judge the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, which translates to the Bakery World Cup, in January next year.

He will be the first New Zealander to judge the prestigious event.

The Paris competition will involve 12 teams competing to be named the best bakers in the world over two 14-hour days of blood, sweat and flour.

Despite being invited to compete on multiple occasions, Mr Gilbert said he had never been able to because of a lack of funding.

"It’s the best of the best judging the best of the best at what they do."

Started in 1992 by the highly decorated baker Christian Vabret, the contest is split into four challenges: breads and baguettes, sweet pastries, gourmet bread-making and artistic pieces.

Mr Gilbert has been named as a judge on the working jury, a new feature of the competition.

The working jury judged technique, dexterity, respect for the timetable and use of raw materials.

Mr Gilbert said he was excited

to return to Dunedin so he could start applying and tweaking his own technique "but more than that it’s just being shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in my industry".

Competitors from five continents will be attending.

 - Rafael Clarke