Story contributed by Swathi, Community Worker
Before the year wrapped up, Bakers Beyond members gathered in Whampoa to look back on what they had learnt in 2025 and to think ahead to what they wanted to work towards next.
The year-end showcase was an idea proposed by Vinesh, a trainer with Bakers Beyond and a community member from Ang Mo Kio. Baking was something he learnt at home from his mother. Over time, his interest grew into a home-based baking business. When he learnt about Bakers Beyond, he offered to contribute by sharing his skills with other members – seeing it as a way to be part of the community and to give back.
Eleven participants attended the session, which began with a short presentation highlighting the trainings that took place throughout 2025. Some of those present had been part of Bakers Beyond throughout the year, while others came along to find out more about the training and the community behind it. The slides captured familiar bakes – cookies, brownies, and banana cakes – and reminded the group of how far they had come over the year. The conversation then opened up to reflections and goals, with bakers sharing what they found challenging, what they enjoyed, and what they hoped to learn next in 2026.
After the discussion, the group moved into the training studio to try one last new recipe before the year ended: bread pudding. Ingredients had been prepared the day before by the bakers and Vinesh, and everyone took part – measuring, mixing, and checking trays as they went into the oven. As the room slowly filled with the smell of baking, it became clear that the session was about more than just learning a recipe. It was also about building confidence through doing and learning alongside one another.
In the coming year, Vinesh will continue to helm the training together with other experienced bakers, with a focus on helping members progress steadily towards more advanced skills. One of the programme’s pioneer bakers, Rusnah, has also stepped forward as a participant and potential trainer – reflecting how knowledge continues to circulate within the community.
Over the years, Bakers Beyond has grown from a mostly staff-led initiative into one shaped and sustained by the people within it. When members step up to teach, organise, and support one another, the programme deepens in ways that no single workshop can achieve.
As the year begins, this showcase felt like a steady and promising start, grounded in what has been built and open to what is still to come. Here’s to the year ahead, and to learning, baking, and growing together.
Read more about the journey of Bakers Beyond here: