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Bakeries let us eat cake

Members of the Taipei Bakery Association pose before a cake ferris wheel and a cake North Gate during a press conference yesterday to promote bakeries in the city accessible via the MRT system. The promotion runs from May 12 to June 30. PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Imagine the Taipei 101 Mall made up of 240 boxes of cake, the historic North Gate built with gingerbread, and a white-toast MRT train shuffling its way through the city.

Taipei's bakeries are creating a "cake city" in an attempt to showcase the industry during the upcoming bakery festival.

With over 40 participating bakeries along three major MRT lines -- the Muzha, Tamsui and Nangang-Banciao lines -- the festival, organized by Taipei Bakery Association and sponsored by US Wheat Associates, is inviting everyone to explore the city in a sweet and tasty way.

"The annual output value of Taipei's bakeries is about NT$5 billion [US$160 million], and our professional skills have attracted people from other countries in Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore and China, to come and learn from us," said Liaw Pen-tsang (廖本蒼), chairman of the Taipei Bakery Association, during a press conference yesterday announcing the festival.

"Now, with the convenience of the MRT, we want to invite all the people of Taiwan and also tourists from abroad to visit the bakeries along the lines and enjoy the city through all of its delicious desserts," Liaw said.

Chocolate, blueberry and cherry cheesecakes, mango mousse, sourdough breads and traditional Chinese pastries, including pineapple cakes and peanut candy, decorated the press conference.

Standing before plates of bite-sized cakes, chef Yeh Chun-jung (葉春榮), who has been a baker for more than 30 years, introduced his creations to reporters with patience and pride.

"I work 10 hours every day in a high-temperature kitchen. Being a bakery chef is not easy, but desserts make people happy and it is my biggest satisfaction to cheer customers up with my sweets," Yeh told the Taipei Times.

While lauding the efforts of the industry, Ronald Lu (盧容錦), Taiwan director of US Wheat Associates, called on both bakeries and consumers to keep health in mind while producing and enjoying bakery items.

"Confectionery is one of the main causes of childhood obesity in Taiwan," he said.

"Bakeries should make a greater effort to produce healthy desserts, such as adding healthy ingredients in the food," he added.

The Bakery Festival starts from May 15 and runs through June 30, in which featured bakeries will provide special desserts and promotions in their shops.

To provide consumers with information on featured shops and suggested travel routes, the association is publishing a booklet available at bookstores nationwide.
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