National Bakery School
Encyclopedia
The British
National Bakery School, a culinary school at London South Bank University
, London
, England
, was founded in 1894 and is now the world's oldest bakery
school.
, proposed that a bakery school should be set up at the Polytechnic. During the following year Magnus visited a private bakery school run by a Mr John Blandy in Uxbridge
(established 1889). He was impressed enough to invite Blandy to the Polytechnic for his advice on setting up a school for the technical and practical training of bakers. The scheme was approved by the London County Council
Education Board in April 1894 and funds granted. On 10th October 1894 evening classes for Bakers and Confectioners were opened by Mr Henry C Kutz, President of the London Master Bakers' Protection Society.
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 25th 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 5th February 1902 the foundation stone of new bakery buildings was laid by Thomas Fletcher of Birmingham
Town Council, with John Humphry, President of the National Association of Master Bakers and Adam Lawson Johnston, Chairman of the Committee present. On 9 September of that year, the School's new buildings were opened by Alderman Francis Tonsley JP, President of the National Association of Master Bakers, supported by the Mayors of Northampton and Southwark, the Chairman of the Institute and its Governing Body. Mr John Kirkland was appointed Head of Department in the same year. On 10 September 1909 the new day session of the National School for Bakers and Confectioners was opened by the Lord Mayor of London
, Sir George Wyatt Truscott with 44 full-time students.
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 World War II
Mr Bennion the School's Head was seconded to the Ministry of Food to advise on rationing and the use of potato flour in baked goods. A higher diploma in Baking Technology was introduced in 1947 and in the following year the School made a silver wedding anniversary cake for King George VI and the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother as well as the christening
cake for the infant Prince Charles.
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 Princess Margaret and Mr. Anthony Armstrong Jones. The Worshipful Company of Bakers
Hall on Harp Lane was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of London
in 1963 and the Bakery Department were invited to provide the peppercorn rent of three white and three brown loaves for the Bakers Company to provide to the Lessors of the Hall at a new annual event. In 1965 the National Bakery Students' Society celebrated it Diamond Jubilee with a sherry party held at the Borough Polytechnic's Edric Hall. In that same year the Lord Mayor of London
was presented with special pieces of bread made by students of the Department, which were delivered by hand cart to Mansion House
, where the Mayor and Lady Mayoress received students for afternoon tea.
From 1969 the National Bakery School
moved to purpose built accommodation within new extension buildings of the then Polytechnic of the South Bank, which were opened by the Duke of Edinburgh
. In 1989 the School yet again baked a cake for a major celebration, this time marking the 800th anniversary of the office of Lord Mayor of London
. The cake which stood nearly three metres tall featured a model of Dick Whittington and his cat.
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 Mansion House
and publishing a book of recipes submitted by staff and students of South Bank University called 'The Lightest Chocolate Mousse in the World'. During the 1990s John Marchant became Head of the National Bakery School
, which ran until 2010, the Tower Restaurant, which was used to train students, sell food produced by the School and for formal dining at the London South Bank University
.
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.
who annually award the Freedom of the Company to the top eligible prize winner at the National Bakery School
. The Head of the School and the Dean of the Faculty are both Liverymen
of the Company. More generally, the School has an international reputation and many of its alumni have become heads of bakeries around the world.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
National Bakery School, a culinary school at London South Bank University
London South Bank University
London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, was founded in 1894 and is now the world's oldest bakery
Bakery
A bakery is an establishment which produces and sells flour-based food baked in an oven such as bread, cakes, pastries and pies. Some retail bakeries are also cafés, serving coffee and tea to customers who wish to consume the baked goods on the premises.-See also:*Baker*Cake...
school.
History
In December 1893, Sir Philip Magnus, a governor of the Borough Polytechnic Institute, now London South Bank UniversityLondon South Bank University
London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...
, proposed that a bakery school should be set up at the Polytechnic. During the following year Magnus visited a private bakery school run by a Mr John Blandy in Uxbridge
Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a large town located in north west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres...
(established 1889). He was impressed enough to invite Blandy to the Polytechnic for his advice on setting up a school for the technical and practical training of bakers. The scheme was approved by the London County Council
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
Education Board in April 1894 and funds granted. On 10th October 1894 evening classes for Bakers and Confectioners were opened by Mr Henry C Kutz, President of the London Master Bakers' Protection Society.
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 25th 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 5th February 1902 the foundation stone of new bakery buildings was laid by Thomas Fletcher of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
Town Council, with John Humphry, President of the National Association of Master Bakers and Adam Lawson Johnston, Chairman of the Committee present. On 9 September of that year, the School's new buildings were opened by Alderman Francis Tonsley JP, President of the National Association of Master Bakers, supported by the Mayors of Northampton and Southwark, the Chairman of the Institute and its Governing Body. Mr John Kirkland was appointed Head of Department in the same year. On 10 September 1909 the new day session of the National School for Bakers and Confectioners was opened by the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
, Sir George Wyatt Truscott with 44 full-time students.
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 World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Mr Bennion the School's Head was seconded to the Ministry of Food to advise on rationing and the use of potato flour in baked goods. A higher diploma in Baking Technology was introduced in 1947 and in the following year the School made a silver wedding anniversary cake for King George VI and the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother as well as the christening
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
cake for the infant Prince Charles.
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 Princess Margaret and Mr. Anthony Armstrong Jones. The Worshipful Company of Bakers
Worshipful Company of Bakers
The Worshipful Company of Bakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Bakers' Guild is known to have existed in the twelfth century. From the Corporation of London, the Guild received the power to enforce regulations for baking, known as the Assize of Bread and Ale. The...
Hall on Harp Lane was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1963 and the Bakery Department were invited to provide the peppercorn rent of three white and three brown loaves for the Bakers Company to provide to the Lessors of the Hall at a new annual event. In 1965 the National Bakery Students' Society celebrated it Diamond Jubilee with a sherry party held at the Borough Polytechnic's Edric Hall. In that same year the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
was presented with special pieces of bread made by students of the Department, which were delivered by hand cart to Mansion House
Mansion House
Mansion House may refer to:* the official residences of the Mayor or Lord Mayor of various towns and cities in Great Britain and Ireland:** Mansion House, Dublin** Mansion House, London***See also Mansion House tube station on the London Underground...
, where the Mayor and Lady Mayoress received students for afternoon tea.
From 1969 the National Bakery School
National Bakery School
The British National Bakery School, a culinary school at London South Bank University, London, England, was founded in 1894 and is now the world's oldest bakery school.- History :...
moved to purpose built accommodation within new extension buildings of the then Polytechnic of the South Bank, which were opened by the Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
. In 1989 the School yet again baked a cake for a major celebration, this time marking the 800th anniversary of the office of Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
. The cake which stood nearly three metres tall featured a model of Dick Whittington and his cat.
In 1992 the School pioneered a BSc (Hons) in Baking Technology and Process Management - a first in the UK. The National Bakery School
National Bakery School
The British National Bakery School, a culinary school at London South Bank University, London, England, was founded in 1894 and is now the world's oldest bakery school.- History :...
celebrated its centenary in 1994, holding a celebration lunch at Mansion House
Mansion House, London
Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London in London, England. It is used for some of the City of London's official functions, including an annual dinner, hosted by the Lord Mayor, at which the Chancellor of the Exchequer customarily gives a speech – his...
and publishing a book of recipes submitted by staff and students of South Bank University called 'The Lightest Chocolate Mousse in the World'. During the 1990s John Marchant became Head of the National Bakery School
National Bakery School
The British National Bakery School, a culinary school at London South Bank University, London, England, was founded in 1894 and is now the world's oldest bakery school.- History :...
, which ran until 2010, the Tower Restaurant, which was used to train students, sell food produced by the School and for formal dining at the London South Bank University
London South Bank University
London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...
.
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
Bread
Bread is a staple food prepared by cooking a dough of flour and water and often additional ingredients. Doughs are usually baked, but in some cuisines breads are steamed , fried , or baked on an unoiled frying pan . It may be leavened or unleavened...
. 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
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Thames Festival.
Associations
Within London, the School has associations with the Worshipful Company of BakersWorshipful Company of Bakers
The Worshipful Company of Bakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Bakers' Guild is known to have existed in the twelfth century. From the Corporation of London, the Guild received the power to enforce regulations for baking, known as the Assize of Bread and Ale. The...
who annually award the Freedom of the Company to the top eligible prize winner at the National Bakery School
National Bakery School
The British National Bakery School, a culinary school at London South Bank University, London, England, was founded in 1894 and is now the world's oldest bakery school.- History :...
. The Head of the School and the Dean of the Faculty are both Liverymen
Liveryman
For Livery Companies in the City of London, a Liveryman is a full member of their respective Company.Livery Company members fall into two basic categories: Freemen and Liverymen. One may join as a Freeman, and thereby acquire the "Freedom of the Company", upon fulfilling the Company's criteria...
of the Company. More generally, the School has an international reputation and many of its alumni have become heads of bakeries around the world.