AUBURN — She’s planned nearly 3 feet of bread fireworks shooting out of an upside-down, all-bread, Uncle Sam’s top hat.
Dara Reimers of Auburn is one of two Americans competing in the first Bakery Masters in Paris next month. An alum of the team-event Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, or the Bread Olympics, in 2008, this time the baking competition is individual and her showy, artistic bread display has to stand twice as tall at 6 feet.
Working off a Fourth of July theme, almost half of that height is going to be doughy fireworks, she said.
Reimers, who owns The Bread Shack, has been practice baking as soon as her Center Street shop closes for the night, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. She got the invitation more than a year ago and leaves for Paris on Feb. 27.
“It seemed like good idea at the time … ,” she said, joking about the workload. “It’s a new competition; it’s still prestigious. It’s fun to go over to France and try for the podium again.”
Team USA placed out of the medals two years ago.
According to a news release by Europain, the trade show hosting the event, 24 bakers from 17 countries are competing. Participants are full-time bakers between the ages of 18 and 55. Three will win the Master Baker title, to be announced March 10.
Europain drew more than 86,000 attendees in 2008.
Reimers said it’s held every two years. The Coupe de la Monde is every four; this new masters fills in those off-years.
She’ll face seven competitors in her category, artistic piece. She’s able to make 12 components of the design ahead of time — large bread plaques representing each of the months. February has delicate bread roses, August a camping scene at night. Customers have been great, Reimers said, donating money to help ship them to Paris.
In person, in front of thousands, she’ll have to construct the big centerpiece of her display in white, yellow and orange dough, and make sure it’s strong enough to be moved to a table in the end.
In test runs, she’s had a few breaks.
“I like the challenges of the medium,” Reimers said. “I have one very weak joint that I need to re-engineer this week.”
Dara Reimers, top right, talks with Heidi Audette as friends and customers look at the work that Reimers will present in Paris during the Bakery Masters next month. The 12 plaques are made with all edible ingredients and represent each of the 12 months. The tall showpiece at left represents Independence Day.
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