Nairobi, Kenya, June 23, 2024 The highly anticipated East Africa Bakery & Pastry Expo and Bakers Summit 2024 successfully took place from June 20th to 22nd at the Oshwal Centre, Westlands, Nairobi. This year’s event, despite the challenging economic and political environment, brought together baking enthusiasts, industry professionals, and suppliers from across the region for three days of inspiration, learning, and networking.
Event Highlights
Day 1: The New Baking Landscape
The event began on June 20th, coinciding with the Reject the Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations. The first day focused on new trends and innovations in the baking industry. The day kicked off with opening remarks, followed by panel discussion and a spotlight presentation on sustainable baking practices by Eric Muraguri, General Manager of Bakels East Africa Limited.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in panel discussions covering various topics:
- Innovation in Baking Ingredients: Joash Ochieng of Bakels East Africa and Purity Munyao of Backaldrin participated in a panel that explored new ingredients revolutionising the industry and their health benefits.
- The Science of Baking: Experts from Rapha Training Institute discussed the different types of flour, the use of oil versus margarine, and the importance of ingredient ratios.
- The Role of Pastry in Elevating Restaurant Excellence: Renowned chefs like Francis Njeru from Hemmingways Nairobi and Dennis Chuili from Somerset West View Hotel discussed how pastries contribute to dining experiences and best practices for integrating pastry departments into restaurant operations.
Day 2: Grow Your Baking Business
Day two was all about business growth and strategies. The day started with a recap of the previous day’s highlights and a series of spotlight presentations:
- Selling Your Baked Goods on WhatsApp: Andrew from Sukhiba Connect shared insights on leveraging WhatsApp for sales.
- Optimising Your Baking Operations: Marlyn Mayienga from Bake Connect offered tips on streamlining baking processes.
- The Rise of Eggless Baking: Arva from Bake Me Some Buns discussed meeting consumer demand for health and sustainability with eggless baking.
The day ended with a panel discussion on managing baking businesses, where bakers like Faith Oloo from The Stylishbaker and Ann Wanjiku from Cakeys By Annah shared their experiences and advice on turning passion into profit.
Challenges and Attendance
Despite meticulous planning, the expo faced a lower-than-expected turnout, with over 1,500 preregistered visitors hesitant to attend due to fears of riots and economic concerns. The economic climate also meant reduced expenditure on marketing, which impacted space uptake and overall attendance. Upcountry attendees expressed reluctance to travel under the unconducive political climate.
Acknowledgments and Awards
Pembe Flour Mills, Bakels East Africa, Backaldrin, Tri Clover Industries, KPLC (Pika na Pawa), Dairyland, Pwani Oil, Kartasi Industries, TruFoods, Kaluworks, Bake Connect, Sukhiba Connect, Dadacare Plus, The Stylishbaker, Cakeys By Annah, Let’s Cake 254, and Masher Cake Centre were just a few of the exhibitors who made the event possible.
The expo concluded with counting the People’s Choice ballots and celebrating the winners chosen by event visitors:
- Dairyland
- Bakels East Africa
- Backaldrin
Looking Forward
The East Africa Bakery & Pastry Expo 2024, despite the hurdles, was a testament to the resilience and passion of the baking community. As the industry looks forward to next year’s event, the shared knowledge, innovations, and connections made this year will serve as a strong foundation for future growth. So, dust off your aprons and get ready for another slice of baking excellence in the next event!
