Sweets show to feature Harper students, instructors

Baking and culinary students are earnestly whipping up to 3,000 small pastries, pies and treats in preparation for America's Baking and Sweets Show beginning Friday, Nov. 14.

It's a full departmental effort featuring about 75 students and seven instructors. Students will operate a massive mini-goods bake sale expected to draw hundreds of customers. They'll also assist instructors who will lead a swell of demonstrations and hands-on classes on mini fruit tart production, gum paste flowers, fondant, sugar cookie brush embroidery and other confection techniques.

"We typically focus on classroom instruction, but the sweets show exposes students to the business behind it all," Professor Pat Beach said. "They'll interact with exhibitors and business people, deal with retail customers and see the production that goes into an event such as this. It's invaluable experience."

It's the first time Harper students are involved in America's Baking and Sweets Show, which dubs itself as North America's first and biggest baking and sweets event. Amateurs, enthusiasts, connoisseurs and professionals alike will see the most delectable and hottest trends in the world of baking.

The expo takes place Nov. 14-16 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive in Schaumburg. Notable names in the industry will be on hand including Gale Gand, Kat Barry, Paula Haney, Ina Pinkney and the sisters behind the TLC show "DC Cupcakes."

Single-day admission tickets are $6 to $13 and weekend passes are available. Some demos and classes have additional fees. For more information, visit americasbakingandsweetsshow.com. To learn more about Harper's hospitality management program, visit harpercollege.edu.