The head baker at Harrods, director of a 112-year-old bakery brand, and CEO of a qualifications specialist are set to speak at the upcoming Wales Bakery Conference 2026 in Cardiff.
Hosted at the city centre campus of Cardiff and Vale College on Thursday 28 May, the free-to-attend conference will feature inspirational talks from experts exploring various pertinent topics to the baking sector. The day-long programme also provides networking opportunities with industry bodies, suppliers, manufacturers, and bakery professionals as well as students.
Here’s a list of the keynote speakers:
- Yann Coiet, head baker at Harrods – this French-born pastry master has worked at five-star hotels, artisan bakeries, and manufacturers across Europe before settling in the UK, where he picked up the Champion Baker of the Year 2023 from the Craft Bakers Association
- James Burt, director of Burts Gwalia Bakery – the family-run business founded in 1914 has grown from a local store in Ogmore Vale to operate a production site in Bridgend where it makes a range of biscuits and cakes for both the UK and international markets
- Terry Fennel, CEO of FDQ Ltd – the specialist awarding organisation for food & drink qualifications and apprenticeships is helping address the skills gap in the baking industry, collaborating with training institutions, trade bodies, and companies to create new and enhanced bakery courses. Fennell recently penned an Op-Ed for British Baker discussing the new Occupational Certificates.
One the preceding night to the conference (27 May) is a Drinks & Dinner event to be held at Y Dosbarth (The Classroom), Cardiff and Vale College’s AA Rosette restaurant which is said to one of the top training restaurants in the UK. The three-course meal with wine costs £65 per person and can be booked here or via email to tbentkowski@cavc.ac.uk.
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