A recipe for success: Foodies bakery training manager celebrates 20 years

Bhiren Prasad, Foodstuffs North Island Bakery Training Manager, celebrated his 20-year work anniversary on 29 May. 

From humble beginnings in Fiji, where a loaf of bread required a two-hour bus journey to the nearest bakery, Bhiren Prasad is celebrating 20 years with Foodstuffs North Island, supporting and developing the next generation of bakers.  

Bhiren has spent the past two decades helping shape the quality, consistency and innovation of bakery products enjoyed by millions of New Zealanders. Along the way, he’s also helped develop the next generation of baking talent across Foodstuffs stores in the upper and central North Island.  

Interestingly, Bhiren's sweet Foodstuffs career almost never happened. 

"I initially applied for a retail bakery position and wasn't successful," he says. "I was told there was a Bakery Training Manager role available, so I applied for that instead. Looking back, it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened." 

Originally from Fiji, Bhiren moved to New Zealand to pursue further education, studying at Waikato University before embarking on a career that would combine his passion for baking with his commitment to training others. 

For Bhiren, the magic of baking has never faded. 

"What I enjoy most is the ability to create great bakery products from a handful of raw ingredients," he says. "You can take simple ingredients and turn them into something really special that our customers love." 

That passion extends beyond the products themselves. 

"I'm very fortunate to look after apprentices and support store teams to deliver great products every day. Seeing people develop their skills and confidence is incredibly rewarding." 

Over his 20 years with the co-op, Bhiren has witnessed significant changes in consumer tastes and bakery innovation, but one thing has remained constant: customers' love of fresh, instore baking. 

"Freshly baked products are simply better quality," he says. "The aroma spreads throughout the store and draws customers in. Bakers are in control of their creations from start to finish, and that leads to a better experience and greater customer satisfaction." 

Bhiren's expertise extends far beyond baking products. He plays a pivotal role in developing New Zealand's future bakers through Foodstuffs North Island's apprenticeship programme. The co-op has partnered with Skills4Work, based in Manukau, for more than 20 years to deliver bakery and butchery apprenticeships across Foodstuffs stores. 

Today, Foodstuffs North Island has 121 bakery apprentices, the largest number of bakery and butchery apprentices in the country. 

When asked what makes a great baker, Bhiren's answer is straightforward. 

"You need a good understanding of baking. You need to understand the function of every ingredient and what it contributes to the final product. Then you need to follow the process consistently to achieve the best result." 

Despite spending his career surrounded by pastries, slices and celebration cakes, Bhiren's personal favourites remain refreshingly traditional. 

"A rich fruit cake or a pound cake – you can't go past them," he says. "And I love crusty breads with a soft, chewy centre, like a good ciabatta." 

For someone who grew up in a place where bread was a special treat requiring hours of travel to obtain, helping make fresh bakery products accessible to communities across New Zealand remains a source of pride. 

Twenty years on, Bhiren's influence can be measured not only in the countless cakes, biscuits and loaves produced across Foodstuffs stores, but also in the generations of bakers he has mentored and inspired. 

As Foodstuffs North Island celebrates Bhiren's milestone anniversary, it also celebrates the passion, craftsmanship and commitment that have helped make him one of the co-op's most respected bakery leaders.