CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Baking contest teaches culinary and life skills to youth in the community

Conestoga's Waterloo campus hosted a youth baking contest on February 28 that attracted 16 participants through Muslim Empowerment and Unity (Me&U), a grassroots organization in Kitchener dedicated to supporting Black Muslim youth.

"It was amazing to see the event come to life," said Nafiso Mohamed, youth engagement coordinator at Me&U and lead organizer of the event.

"This wasn't just about baking. We wanted to provide an opportunity to build confidence in the kitchen, learn how to budget for supplies and work as a team."

Participants were split into four groups and assisted by Conestoga's Sean Duffy, a technologist and chef with the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts.

"It was great to work with the youth, who brought enthusiasm and energy to our campus for the competition. Being able to provide my expertise to the community in such a meaningful way was certainly rewarding," said Duffy.  

Among the desserts prepared were cinnamon rolls, tiramisu cake and banana Nutella twists.

"For many of our participants, this was their first time baking, meeting a judge and being in a culinary institution, and thanks to Conestoga, they walked away not only with new skills but also with a sense of accomplishment and confidence," said Fatima Beynah, program director, Me&U.

"Collaborations like this are invaluable in our mission to empower youth, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to have worked together on this event. Our choice for using Conestoga's kitchen was more than just having a venue. We wanted to provide an opportunity to experience a professional culinary environment and be exposed to a career path they may have never previously considered," added Mohamed, who also noted interest in the event was strong, with an additional 14 youth on a waiting list.

"We always value the opportunity to share our facilities and teaching knowledge with the broader community, and to provide the next generation of students and chefs with inspiration. It was especially important to support a local group that empowers underrepresented youth while helping them build confidence in a positive educational setting," said Keith Müller, executive dean of both the School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts and the Institute of Food Processing Technology.

Conestoga's School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts was named among Canada's best culinary schools in 2025 by University Magazine, ranking number three out of 30 colleges and universities that made the list. The school prepares students for successful careers in Canada's tourism industry, with students learning from faculty members with extensive industry experience as they develop practical knowledge and theoretical skills. The Waterloo campus is home to its state-of-the-art culinary skills labs and student-run Bloom restaurant.