Get Adobe Flash player

Bake Fest Holiday Edition Scheduled for Oct. 8

The Bake Fest Holiday Edition, a virtual learning event for bakers taught by well-known baking influencers, is set for Oct. 8.

Founder Stefani Pollack held the first Bake Fest in May 2021, with the second one in May. Pollack is a blogger and social influencer with nearly one million Instagram followers on her @cupcakeproject account.

The events typically draw about 1,000 attendees from all over the United States, Pollack said.

“Our next online event is all about holiday baking,” she said. “It’s taking place on Oct. 8 and includes eight hands-on holiday baking classes and business of baking classes as well as video chat networking opportunities with bakers and baking brands in our virtual marketplace.”

Tickets are on sale for $15 on thebakefest.com. Prices go up to $25 on Oct. 1.

“If you are a home baker, baking business owner, or aspiring baking business owner, this event is for you,” Pollack said. “It will be a day filled with classes, holiday shopping opportunities, prizes, and networking.”

Classes include:

  • Product demos and Q&As in the virtual marketplace
  • Discounts from all marketplace vendors 
  • A chance to win incredible prizes
  • Recordings for a full year

Topics and speakers include eight baking and business classes with recordings for a full year:

  • Easy-Peasy Holiday Baking – Jessie Sheehan
  • Wafer Paper Ornament Cake Decorating – Katelyn Brewer
  • A Mid-Century Christmas Sugar Cookie – Mitzi Torgersen
  • Holiday Cookie Design – Liz Joy Murray
  • Showstopper Christmas Tree Cupcakes – Jyoti Nanra
  • How To Raise Your Prices And Make More Dough – Laura Luk
  • Holiday Business Talk – Porsha Kimble
  • How To Create, Market, And Sell Virtual Holiday Baking Classes – Amanda Shonberg

Day-of shopping discounts and prizes will be available to attendees from participating brands: Castiron, Amoretti, CakeSafe, ClearBags, Eddie, The Edible Ink Printer, Canvas, Cake and Cookie Planner, Bob’s Red Mill, Simply Delish, Impact Products, Cabot, Caljava, Lolly’s, Sweet Elizabeth and Swans Down.

For updates on topics of interest to the specialty food industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Greene Concepts Appoints National Sales Director

Greene Concept’s flagship product, Be Water. (Photo: Greene Concepts)

Greene Concepts, Inc. has appointed Brian Adkins as national sales director.  The position entails coordinating all efforts in the company’s expansion of national and regional retail chain partners for all Greene Concepts’ brands.

Adkins has more than 20 years of consumer-packaged goods industry experience including beverage, frozen/dry and natural food categories. Adkins holds strong relationships with numerous regional and national retail chains.

“I fully believe that we will be in all major retailers soon as they see the value of Be Water, Stay and Happy Mellow and how the brands resonate with consumers,” Atkins said. “Health, quality, strong packaging, and a strong story are all important and our brands excel in each of these.

“Many people have been asking when Be Water and the company’s other brands will be available in more stores nationally,” he said. “That time is coming quickly as we continue negotiations, timing, and placement discussions.  We’ve already made tremendous inroads and in short order I believe everyone will soon be able to find the Company’s brands in every major retailer across the country.”

Greene Concepts, Inc. is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The company’s flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness.

Greene Concepts’ beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, N.C., where the water is ethically sourced from seven spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers. 

For updates on issues of interest to the food and beverage industries, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Aviation American Gin Opens Distillery, Visitor Center

Aviation American Gin is celebrating the grand opening of the “Aviation American Gin Distillery and Visitor Center” in its hometown of Portland, Ore. The state-of-the-art, nearly 33,000 sq. ft. facility features an intimate tasting room, exceptional draft cocktail bar and gift shop. As part of the interactive experience, visitors can get a sneak peek at co-owner Ryan Reynolds’ office, which doubles as an escape room, inviting guests to solve a series of puzzles and identify various Easter eggs to get out.

The new Aviation Gin experience offers guests a behind the scenes look at how Aviation Gin is distilled in its uniquely American style, crafted with a blend of botanicals, which delivers an approachable and uniquely balanced flavor profile. Like all successful partnerships, none is overpowering or masking, but each plays a part in bringing out the best in all. Aviation Gin was created to be balanced and smooth to complement any cocktail or even fly solo.

“About three years ago, we set out to create a one-of-a-kind distillery and tasting experience to give people the opportunity to get a look at how we make the world’s greatest spirit – Aviation American Gin, that is. We’re thrilled to announce that the Aviation American Gin Distillery is officially open for business in Portland, Ore., and everyone (21 years and older) is welcome,” said Ryan Reynolds, Aviation American Gin’s co-owner. “If a grown-up theme park and a bartender fell in love and produced offspring, it would be this gin factory.”

Helmed by award-winning industry veteran and distillery director, Hollie Stephenson, the facility will offer educational tours of the distillation process and bottling line, as well as tasting flights and unique seasonal draft cocktails. Stephenson will bring her vast production and tasting room experience to the site as she oversees the distilling and bottling operations, as well as the newly constructed visitor center and tasting room.

“Portland, Ore., is such a vibrant city with a rich, unrivaled spirits & cocktail scene. We’re proud to be opening the Aviation American Gin Distillery in the company’s hometown,” said Christina Choi, senior vice president at Diageo. “Knowing how beloved the brand is, we’re excited to invite consumers to explore, sip and learn about how our premium, uniquely American-style gin is distilled.”

The tours will be held in intimate groups of no more than 12 visitors and will cost $28 per person, which includes a guided tasting. Guests are invited to enjoy the distillery at their leisure and those who are visiting the bar can sip on cocktails and tasting flights (limited to 2.5oz per day) without participating in the full tour.

The distillery will be serving six draft cocktails that will rotate seasonally, starting with: Ryan’s Nitro Negroni, Fizzy Bees Knees, Grapefruit Collins, Aviation G&T, Saturn, and the Flora Dora. A straight tasting of Aviation American Gin will also be available to purchase for $5. Guests must be 21+ with valid ID to sample or purchase cocktails.

In 2020, Diageo acquired Aviation American Gin through the acquisition of the Davos Brands portfolio.

The Aviation American Gin Distillery is located at 2075 NW Wilson St. Portland, OR 97209, and is open Thursday through Sunday from noon – 7PM PT. Guests can book their visit at https://www.aviationgin.com/visit-us. For more information and to stay up to date on the latest news, including distillery details, please visit www.aviationgin.com or follow @aviationgin on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Aviation American Gin [42% Alc/Vol. Imported by Diageo, New York, NY] reminds you to drink responsibly.

For updates on issues of interest to the adult beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.