The Worshipful Company of Bakers

www.bakers.co.uk

Ladies' Luncheon
April 2012, Bakers' Hall, London

  

July Court and Livery Dinner 2011
Bakers' Hall, London

     

Trade education has always been an important aspect of the Bakers’ Company. From 1266, the Company was responsible for policing the Assize of Bread on behalf of the City Aldermen and therefore it was important to ensure that the competence of all of the craftsmen falling under the Company’s jurisdiction met the exacting requirements of such an honourable trade. This was achieved through Apprenticeships that were so important in Mediaeval England. Today, with the vast divergence of the baking industry, the traditional apprenticeship is no longer possible although the tradition survives through the notional apprenticeships granted by the Company.

Despite the demise of the craft apprentice, the Company remains heavily involved with bakery education. Following an initial meeting at the Mansion House in July 1876, the City and Guilds of London Institute was established in 1878 to educate artisans in every branch of their trade. Anxious to promote bakery education, the Company was amongst those that attended that meeting and so became one of the Institute’s founders. The Institute remains important today and the current Master of the Company sits on the controlling Council.

The late 19th century was an important time for the development of trade education and soon after its opening in 1892, the Borough Polytechnic (now the London South Bank University) introduced courses for bakers and confectioners. These early courses were so successful that they formed the foundation for the National Bakery School. The Company has been involved since the school’s inception in 1898 and has presented the top student in each year with the Freedom of the Company. Many of these have become Liverymen, some have become Assistants and several have served as Master.

In the 21st century the Bakers’ Company continues to promote bakery education. Apart from the National Bakery School, the Company supports students in bakery education throughout the United Kingdom with bursaries and prizes. It also runs specialised courses at premier continental bakery schools such as the Richemont School in Lucerne, l’Ecole Lenôtre in Paris and the Gustar School in Tuscany. In partnership with the British Baking Industry, the Company runs other courses that benefit not only students, but those wishing to continue their own professional development programme.

The Bakers’ Company has played an important role in trade education from its earliest known recorded date (1155) until the current time and will continue to do so as it believes that good education is the future of the industry.

October Court and Livery Luncheon 2010
Bakers' Hall, London

  

Luncheon for Masters and Clerks
May 2010, Bakers' Hall, London