Caitlin Mayo has always had a passion for baking and wants to become Red Seal certified. She has worked in the baking industry since she was 17 and her baking repertoire includes everything from producing special order cakes and plated desserts to managing a pastry buffet. She is currently working at Whole Foods and is responsible for the morning bake-off. At the young age of 19, Caitlin will represent Canada in the Confectioners and Pastry Cook category of the 2009 WorldSkills Competition, taking place next fall in Calgary, Alberta. She will be the first ever British Columbian participating in this category of the competition.
- Why did you want to become a baker?
I knew I wanted a career in the food industry, so I entered the ACE-IT program at high school, to challenge myself creatively and technically to learn as much about baking as I could.
- What path did you take to get to your current position?
In my last semester of grade 11, I entered the ACE-IT program at Vancouver Community College (VCC). Because I wanted to learn as much as I could while I was attending school, I also worked at Newlands Golf and Country Club in Langley, COBBS Bakery and Blue Water Café. After I finished my ACE-IT program, I went back to R.E. Mountain Secondary School in Langley to complete my high school graduation requirements.
- What was/is your greatest challenge and your most rewarding component of your job?
The biggest challenge is the impact my training for WorldSkills has on my social life. I have spent one year preparing for this competition and others don’t always understand that my work is important to me.
- Did you have to overcome any obstacles?
Recently, I got frustrated while working with a French pastry chef, who only gave instructions in French. I had to ask for translations all the time because I don’t speak the language. It was difficult at times, but my goal is to learn French in the future.
- What advice would you give to someone entering your industry?
If you are in high school and you know you want to be a baker, the ACE-IT Program is for you. You also have to love what you are doing — it has to be a passion. It’s important to understand that the hours are difficult, and the work is very demanding and economically challenging. On the other hand, when I see that my finished product is good and that all my hard work has paid off, it’s all worth it.
Click here to learn how Caitlin prepares for the World SkillsCompetition.