We're doing a new survey of 2010 retail prices right now. If you're a retailer, please respond to the survey by clicking here.

Most of the questions are just your current prices so they shouldn't take long.

The overall results of this survey will appear in the next issue of Slice, coming out at the end of February.

Incentive

Participants in this survey will go into a prize draw for a copy of Ladies, a Plate - Traditional Home Baking by Alexa Johnson. You can see about it here. Great for ideas if you want to cash in on a bit of nostalgia or offer some retro products.

I am a sole owner operater of a small bakery lunch-bar. I am seeking a person with a good knowledge in the retail of ready-to-eat food, with an understanding of the infrastructure of a small business and capable of supervising shop staff in a hands-on position.

This position also involves office duties including wages, maintaining accounts, costing, stocktakes and ordering.

We are based on the eastern side of the Coromandel.

Phone 0272 122 960 for more information or email me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BIANZ Executive members taking part in Movember have expressed delight in finally being able to shave off their moustaches, but are even happier at having made a significant contribution to the total $700 000 raised by event. The annual, month-long celebration of the moustache highlights men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression.

Jason Heaven, Michael Gray, Brendan Williams and Mike Meaclem, part of team Dough Mo and captained by their Mo Sista BIANZ Executive Officer Belinda Jeursen, started growing their tashes at the beginning of November, effectively becoming walking billboards for men’s health and raising essential funds and awareness.

"Their experience of having a moustache was generally unfavourable to say the least," says Belinda, 'but they are really pleased to have been part of something that raises money for a very good cause."

The Movember concept was conceived in Australia in 2003 and first held in New Zealand in 2006. Since then, Movember has continued to grow each year, both in terms of participation numbers and funds raised. In its first year, 30 Mo Bros took part in Movember and since 2006, the first year in New Zealand, more than 50,000 people have participated and $4million has been raised for Movember’s Kiwi men’s health partners.

The Baking Industry Association is set to play a major role in Fine Food New Zealand’s inaugural show, with on-site judging of their Bakery of the Year Competition, BIANZ members’ lounge, stand and support for the Weston Milling Trainee of the Year Competition.

Fine Food New Zealand, taking place from 13-15 June 2010 at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland, combines New Zealand’s premier food exhibition, The Food Show, with Australia's most prestigious food trade show, Fine Food Australia. The three-day international food, drink and equipment showcase is attracting support from many influential organisations and exhibitors. BIANZ President Jason Heaven says the Association is really excited about the possibilities offered by Fine Food. “The show offers fantastic networking and trading opportunities to anyone in the food industry.”

Photos of all entries in the NZ Bakery of the Year 2009 competition are now online. See the winners and also-rans from some of New Zealand's most adventurous bakers and pattissiers here.

Ten O' clock Cookie Bakery Cafe of Masterton took home $10 000 worth of prizes after winning the BIANZ Bakery of the Year Competition on Saturday. They were also awarded Gold Medals for Best Pastry Category and Best Cake Category and took out a host of other silver and bronze medals.

The popular Peoples Choice Award, decided by public txt and online votes, went to The Naked Baker of Christchurch while Oslers Bakery Wairoa and Copenhagen Bakery of Christchurch came second and third overall respectively. Vic's Bakery, also of Christchurch, took the Gold Medal for the Best Bread Category.

The Awards were given out at the BIANZ Annual Awards Dinner in Wellington, sponsored by NZ Bakels and attended by over 150 keen bakers and industry suppliers. The Dinner was part of the annual BIANZ conference at which the Weston Milling Trainee of the Year Competition also took place. Sarah Harrap won this competition, with Shinobu Sadamitsu in second palce and Jason Hay in third place.

To view and order photos of the Awards Dinner please visit

http://webgallery.timeexposure.com/preview.php?cpid=B00297-948&albumid=10666

For all the competition results read on.

Nobody is saying who ordered these cakes or who made them, but certain sources indicate a Middle-Eastern royal family might be involved.

Whatever you think of the customers's tastes, there's no denying their obvious wealth and the skill that has gone into their production.

Download a copy of issue #4 of Slice here