Bakery success

Sunday, 15 April, 2012

“‘Just an update on Rainbow Bakery... after 19 years of operating we have made a sales record on Christmas day with sales of over T$6000! The knowledge that (Australian volunteer) Martin Warnes has left behind has been used wisely and thanks to you all for the support in our business...” email sent by Vili & Annie Malupo & Staff from Rainbow Bakery, Nukualofa Tonga.

The assignment at hand was ‘Up skilling knowledge in bakery industry’ for host organisation, Rainbow Bakery, Nukualofa, Tonga and the results achieved by Australian volunteer, Martin Warnes during his eight week assignment were significant in creating sales records not seen before.

Rainbow Bakery was established in 1992 and its core business producing and selling confectionary, pastries and bread products. They also distribute bread to retail shops around Tonga. 70% of the current products are white sandwich bread, bread rolls, burger bun and sweet buns. Other products include cakes, sponge cakes and scones.

The bakery has 20 staff, 14 of which have no baking background. They had requested assistance in improving baking quality and in producing new products. They also wanted assistance in addressing the lack of consistency in baking.

The overall goal was to have the Rainbow bakers trained in different recipes and to develop techniques which would improve the quality of pastries, creating opportunities for the business to improve and expand their market and diversify of product lines.

The four main objectives being;

• To provide staff with improving the quality of bread being produced
• To offer suggestions on how to diversify the bakery’s product lines
• To explore methods for increasing their sales and market
• To improve current capacity of staff and the business

Martin Warnes, a catering professional from NSW was sent on the assignment, perfectly matched to the bakery with his impressive experience and business acumen which seen him successfully running his own award winning bakery and setting up international hotel training schools.

Martin worked seven days a week to thoroughly understand the issues of the bakery and to achieve their goals – and beyond! He was thoroughly impressed with the counterpart he worked with who was able to pick up the skills he taught straight away and able to replicate the baking products he showed just once or twice, commenting that he had only come across a handful of these individuals in his lengthy career.

Whilst working in Tonga, Martin was pleased with his renovated living quarters as well as the meals provided to him on workdays, making life away from home easier.

The Rainbow Bakery continues to go from strength to strength as the effects of this ABV assignment volunteer experience continue long after the volunteer has left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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