NT: Baker from territory to take on Italy

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2008
NT: Baker from territory to take on Italy

DARWIN, Dec 10 AAP - Soggy burgers spring to mind when most people think of a Territorian's
lunch.

But a Darwin baker hopes to turn the beer-guzzling, thong-wearing stereotype on its
head when he takes on a world-class team of chefs in Italy next year.

"Once people taste my food, they'll know what I'm talking about," said Charles Darwin
University bakery lecturer David Barker.

The talented baker will join two other Aussies in the battle of the breads after being
selected for the 2009 SIGEP Bread Cup.

There he will engage in live bake-offs in front of a 10,000-strong audience, with ten
countries competing over four days during January.

The event includes traditional baking, cakes and pastries - all made within strict
time limits and with defined ingredients - and is the world's largest professional trade
fair dedicated to bakery, confectionary and gelato products.

"The skills I'll be exposed to over there should be brilliant and I can't wait to enrich
the classroom," said Mr Barker.

Two years ago, Mr Barker wowed the Melbourne Food Expo and won over the judges with
his Rosella Sour Dough bread, nabbing second place at the Australian Artisan Baking Cup
La Coupe Down Under.

Based in the Top End satellite city of Palmerston, Mr Barker said he was prepared to
do battle in a country where "food is everything".

AAP tr/jfm/de

KEYWORD: BREAD

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.