GOURMET NEWS The Bake Fest 2023 Is Icing on the Cake for Budding Bakers Across the Nation

BY A J FLICK

With the global bakery and confectionar y market projected to grow from $871 04 billion in 2021 to $950 72 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate of 9 1 percent, according to ReportLinker, and to $1,293 64 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent, the industry is attractive to entrepreneurs

As hard as the industry was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on the supply chain by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it also inspired thousands of Americans to dream about launching their own bakery busi- ness

ReportLinker expressed optimism for the industry, post-pandemic

Restaurant Emplo yment Gap Easing

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It’s one thing to be famous among family and friends for being a great baker, but it’s another altogether to go into business as a baker Stefani Pollock knows what it’s like from experience Her blog, Cupcake Project – born out of a promise to bake cupcakes for a friend’s wedding –has grown into Pollock becoming

BY A J FLICK

While the restaurant industry has seen more than 26 months of employment gains, restaurants are still below the early pandemic peak in February 2020, according to the U S Bureau of Labor Statistics

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