VCC Success Story
February 1, 2010
VCC baking student finds sweet success
It's a piece of cake - not quite. Caitlin Mayo likes a challenge, and certainly found one at the 2009 WorldSkills competition in Calgary where she competed against some of the world's best bakers and brought home a medallion of excellence and the people's choice award.
Mayo, a 20-year-old baking and pastry arts graduate, trained full-time for nine months to prepare for the four-day competition. "I love learning, and for the Worlds, I really had to work on my sugar and chocolate skills," says Mayo, who now enjoys working with sugar - one of the most difficult skills to master.
"VCC has been wonderful to me, and the instructors are amazing and very supportive," says Mayo, Canada's competitor against top bakers from 13 other countries.
"My job was to take care of everything so she could concentrate on her training," says VCC instructor Nancy McRae, Mayo's trainer. "I am so proud of her and her dedication."
Mayo first came to VCC in Grade 11 as part of High School Plus, a trades training program for high school students. "I was bored in school and really thrived once I got to college." She's now working toward her Red Seal certification.
Her future plans include opening her own business. "If I could be a professional competitor, I would," she says with a laugh, when asked what her dream job would be.