Retail Food Group (RFG) procurement manager Janet Blythman was named chairwoman of the Australian Society of Baking (ASB) in October. Janet takes over from previous chariman and Homestyle Bake director Lindsay Weber.

The change of hands was announced at the recent ASB conference held at the Bayview Eden in Melbourne. More than 75 delegates attended the conference, with more than 100 people attending the chairman’s dinner.

“The feedback from the delegates who attended was extremely positive, and all presenters did a great job in presenting well researched informative information,” Janet says.

The regional finalists of the Baking Scholarships were announced at the chairman’s dinner, with Tempt Bakery Café’s Emily Burrows winning the National Scholarship award.

The prize includes a trip to France in March 2012 to visit Europain, the Lesaffre Bakery Centre and Callebaut chocolate in Belgium. The 22-years-old cake decorator told Australian Baking Business that entering the awards was an enjoyable experience.

“It was awesome. As much as I wanted it, I really didn’t expect it,” Emily said.

Emily completed her apprenticeship in 2010 at Drysdale in Hobart, now the Skills Institute, where teacher Mike Goddard encouraged her to enter the competition. She has made cakes and breads at Tempt Bakery Café for seven years, but hopes in the future to focus on cake decorating.

“I’m happy working here, I love it. I hope to have the cake decorating pick up full time, I’m hoping for it grow,” she said.

The Arthur E Dennison Scholarship medalists included Clete Obrien, Marcus Winnick, Jeff Fielke and Terry Yuke.

ASB founding member John Packham was also named an ASB ‘honorary member’ at the event due to his significant contributions to the society.

The next ASB meeting will be held in Sydney on May 2, 2012, and the second meeting for the year will be October 17, 2012 in the south- east Queensland region.

Based on positive feedback from this year’s Gold Coast conference, the ASB committee has decided to permanently add south-east Queensland region to the conference venue circuit

“I hope you will be able to come to these events. The committee has already started the planning for these events, and will up-date you as to the venue once it has been booked,” Janet says.

The next meeting will be held in Sydney on the May 2, 2012, and the second meeting for the year will be on the October 17, 2012, in the South-East Queensland region.