National Bakery School
The National Bakery School, a
History
In December 1893, Sir
By 1898 bakers were the largest group in the Borough Polytechnic Institute's student body (142 students) and the success prompted John Blandy to propose that a national bakery school should be set up at the Polytechnic. The proposal prompted the National Association of Master Bakers (founded 1887) to take over the management of the Polytechnic's Bakery School on 25 September 1899 at their own cost. The bakery school was from then on formally known as the National School of Bakery and Confectionary.
The School continued its evening classes but now put a focus on its full-time day students, of whom six enrolled in the first term. On 5 February 1902 the foundation stone of new bakery buildings was laid by Thomas Fletcher of
The first fourteen female bakery students were admitted in April 1916. In 1927 John Kirkland left his position as head of department and a lecture theatre was named after him, which is still is use. During
In 1958 the Bakery Department won the grand prix d'excellence and a gold medal at the Brussels International Confectioners' Exhibition. In 1960 a member of the Department's staff, Miss Joan Russell designed one of the wedding cakes accepted for the wedding of Her Royal Highness
From 1969 the National Bakery School moved to purpose built accommodation within new extension buildings of the then
In 1992 the School pioneered a BSc (Hons) in Baking Technology and Process Management – a first in the UK. The National Bakery School celebrated its centenary in 1994, holding a celebration lunch at
From September 2000 the School introduced foundation degrees in Baking Technology Management. During 2004 bakery students worked with designer Jean Paul Gaultier to recreate some of his iconic designs in bread. Another interesting commission was received in 1996 when artist Sharon Baker asked to bake bread in life-size moulds she had had made by lifecast artists CJ Munn and Andre Masters of herself. The finished body-shaped bread was presented to the audience at the art event 'Eat Me' which formed part of the annual London Thames Festival.
References
- ^ "Culinary Schools, Programs & Courses in London". LondonSchools.org. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ Introduction and history, National Bakery School, London South Bank University, UK.