Back-to-School Baking Class: Learn, Bake & Taste at UFV Chilliwack
A community-driven workshop at the University of the Fraser Valley mixes culinary skills, local pride, and a dash of creativity to kick off the fall season.
When the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Chilliwack campus hosted its “Back-to-School Baking Class,” it wasn’t just about whipping up sweet treats. The event drew students, families, and community members into the kitchen to learn hands-on skills from professional instructors while rediscovering the joy of cooking together. Participants baked, shared, and tasted their creations, leaving with both recipes and confidence to replicate them at home.
This wasn’t your average cooking demo. It highlighted the Fraser Valley’s growing appetite for culinary education and emphasized the role of food in building community connections.
Why Baking Classes Are Making a Comeback
Across Canada, demand for cooking and baking workshops has been on the rise. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians now spend nearly 35% more on specialty food experiences than a decade ago, a shift partly driven by social media trends and the pandemic’s effect on home cooking.
At UFV Chilliwack, the appeal is twofold:
- Practical skills: Many participants are students living away from home who want to learn affordable, nourishing ways to cook.
- Creative outlet: Baking offers a sense of accomplishment and stress relief, particularly valuable during the back-to-school transition.
Dr. Paula Greig, a food studies researcher at UFV, explained that “events like this bring together people of all ages. It’s less about perfect technique and more about sharing culture and tradition through food.”
Similar classes at Vancouver Community College and Calgary’s SAIT School of Hospitality have also seen increased enrollment, reflecting a broader trend of Canadians seeking hands-on, community-centered learning instead of passive entertainment.
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Behind the Aprons: What It Takes to Run a Class
Pulling off a large-scale baking class isn’t as simple as preheating ovens. Organizers at UFV faced challenges ranging from ingredient sourcing to scheduling around student availability. Local farmers played an unsung role by providing seasonal produce like berries and apples, ensuring that recipes had a “Fraser Valley flavor.”
Chef-instructor Marie Thompson highlighted the importance of preparation:
“You have to plan recipes that are accessible to beginners but still exciting. That balance keeps people engaged and willing to try new things.”
Volunteers, many of them culinary students, worked behind the scenes to measure ingredients, set up stations, and clean as the event unfolded. Their quiet efforts allowed participants to focus on the joy of baking rather than the logistics.
More Than Cookies: The Broader Impact
Strengthening Community Ties
Beyond the aroma of fresh bread and pastries, UFV’s baking class fostered a sense of belonging. Parents cooked alongside teenagers, international students swapped family recipes, and strangers became collaborators. Events like these create opportunities for cultural exchange and help build networks that extend beyond campus walls.
Supporting Local Food Economies
By sourcing ingredients from Fraser Valley farmers and producers, the class underscored the importance of buying local. This not only supports small businesses but also connects participants to the region’s agricultural identity. Curious about other ways to connect with regional flavors? Check out Local Food Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss This Fall.
Inspiring Future Careers
Hands-on workshops often spark long-term interests. Some attendees left considering culinary arts as a career path, inspired by the accessibility of UFV’s teaching kitchen. The event doubled as a soft recruitment tool for UFV’s food and agriculture programs.
Looking Ahead
As fall unfolds, UFV Chilliwack’s baking class may be a sign of what’s to come: more community-focused events where education meets experience. Other schools and organizations could follow suit by integrating local producers, lowering barriers to participation, and designing workshops that blend learning with enjoyment.
For anyone who missed out, UFV plans to host additional culinary events throughout the year, each designed to strengthen ties between the university and the community it serves.
Takeaway: Baking together is about more than recipes—it’s about creating a space where learning, culture, and community rise like dough in a warm oven.
