Rich Products is looking to give back to the baking industry with the launch of a new online training and education platform known as Rich’s Academy. 

Free to users, the platform helps bakery professionals at all stages of their career build their skills, tap into industry trends and insights, and take courses that qualify for continuing education credits or units from accrediting organizations. Rich’s Academy begins with a spotlight on four key industry segments.

“Rich’s Academy was an idea born during the pandemic,” says Jamie McKeon, senior vice president, demand creation, Rich Products. “As a trusted partner, we needed to create a digital way to continue to deliver innovative solutions and enhanced value to our customers. What resulted is a fantastic resource that will provide ongoing training, skilled instruction and menu innovation to in-store bakery foodservice professionals everywhere, especially as the industry grows and evolves.”   

Rich’s Bakery Academy helps professionals master cake decorating skills alongside Rich’s own talented bakery technicians, among other skills, for free. Programs range from “Cake Icing Basics,” to “Baking 101,” “Flower Designs,” and “Time Saving & Production Tips” for cake decorating. Training is customized to the level of the online learner, for example breaking down cake decorating borders instruction from beginner to intermediate and advanced.

Professionals can also stay up to date and on-trend with current standards and expand their culinary skills and meet continuing education credit requirements at their convenience with accredited courses and training materials. Examples include “Breads Around the World” and “Smart Seasoning: Salt,” accredited by the American Culinary Federation. 

Professionals will also have access to industry-leading research and insight, benefiting from Rich’s world-class research department and the direct input of its bakery and culinary teams. 

Additionally, Rich’s Academy features Culinary Live, a webinar series sharing on-trend applications, culinary inspiration and product information, with the opportunity for live instruction if it fits the learner’s schedule, or the option for an on-demand video thereafter. Example content includes “Parbaked to Perfection,” which delves into the world of Parbaked Breads and Rolls.