👩🍳 Bakers:
Inspire the Next Generation of Culinary Talent
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Mentor for the Battle of the Bakers! By participating, you aren’t just competing for the “Ultimate Cookie” title; you are helping a local student navigate their future through the Healthy Youth Network’s “What’s Your Path” program.
🧭 Your Role as a Baker
As a professional partner, your goal is to bridge the gap between a classroom recipe and a professional-grade product. You will be paired with the winning student team from the high school competition to:
- Refine the Recipe: Help students scale their “batch of 12” into a production-ready recipe for the public event.
- Share Industry Insights: Talk about food safety, cost of goods, presentation, and what a day in the life of a professional baker looks like.
- Production: Bake the cookies for the fundraising event at your professional facility.
- Co-Pilot the Event: Stand with your student partners at the April 23rd event, engaging with the public and representing your craft.
⏰ Time Commitment & Key Dates
We know your time is valuable. We’ve streamlined the mentorship to roughly 10–12 hours total over two months.
- Late February / Early March: Initial Consultation (1–2 hours)
Meet your student team at the high school to taste their winning cookie and discuss the plan for the main event. - March – Mid-April: Collaboration Session (3–5 hours)
A hands-on session at the school to practice scaling the recipe and perfecting the bake. - April 23, 2026: The Main Event (4–5 hours)
Join us at the venue for setup, the public tasting, and the awards ceremony.
✨ Why Become a BOTB Baker?
- Community Brand Exposure: Your bakery/business will be featured in all event publicity, including social media, posters across Waterdown/Flamborough, and the event program.
- Marketplace Presence: All mentors receive a complimentary vendor space in the Baking Marketplace to showcase and sell their own signature goods. As a vendor, you are required to fill in the Vendor Application Form and adhere to the Terms & Conditions.
- Networking: Connect with other local culinary leaders, business owners, and community influencers.
- Social Impact: Directly impact a young person’s career trajectory by sharing your passion and expertise.
🚀 Next Steps
Ready to help a student find their path?
- Confirm Interest: Contact Sherri Cully at sherri@healthyouthnetwork.ca by February 28th, 2026.
- Briefing Call: We will hold a 20-minute Zoom call for all professional mentors to walk through the event logistics and health safety guidelines.
- Meet Your Team: We will introduce you to your student partners following the school competition in early March!
