Further to the proposal of President Günther Koerffer, the International Union of Bakers and Confectioners unanimously approved in its Congress in Reykjavik, on September 9th, 2022, the constitution of the UIBC Select Club, which is established to recognize and unite the luminaries of the baking and confectionery world. Its primary objectives are:
-RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE: To honour individuals who have demonstrated real commitment to skill, innovation, and dedication in the realms of baking and confectionery. These individuals have not only achieved personal success but have also elevated the global standards of the trade.
-PROMOTION OF THE CRAFT: To serve as ambassadors of the baking and confectionery arts, spreading knowledge, techniques, and the rich history of the craft to both professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.
-COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING: To provide a platform where the best minds in baking and confectionery can collaborate, share insights, and foster partnerships. This network aims to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of baking.
-ADVANCEMENT OF THE INDUSTRY: To actively participate in and support UIBC initiatives, ensuring the continued growth, innovation, dignity and sustainability of the baking and confectionery sectors on a global scale.
-PRESERVATION OF TRADITION WHILE EMBRACING INNOVATION: While the club respects and upholds the time-honoured traditions of baking, it also champions new techniques, technologies, and ideas that drive the industry forward.
-MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATION: To inspire the next generation of bakers and confectioners by offering guidance, sharing experiences, and promoting educational opportunities.
In essence, the UIBC Select Club is more than just a recognition of individual achievements; it’s a commitment to the betterment of the entire baking and confectionery community, ensuring its vibrancy and relevance for generations to come. The motto of the UIBC Select Club is “BAKING WITHOUT BORDERS”

UIBC SELECT CLUB – COMPOSITION

-THE UIBC SELECT CLUB IS MADE UP OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS:
WORLD BAKERS AND WORLD CONFECTIONERS OF THE YEAR (since 2015). All the UIBC World Bakers and World Confectioners of the Year (since 2015) are automatically inducted into the Select Club upon the announcement of the next year’s winners. If no winners are announced the following year, the previous year’s winners will be inducted after one year from their election.
UIBC AMBASSADORS. All Active UIBC Ambassadors are eligible for membership.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UIBC COMPETITION JURIES.All Presidents of the UIBC International Competition Juries are eligible for membership.
-NOMINATED BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERS.
Bakers and confectioners proposed by member Associations or existing Select Club members. Their induction requires unanimous approval from the Presidium and endorsement from at least two-thirds of the current Select Club members. A maximum of 5 new members (apart from the WBY and the WCY) can be inducted every year.
Nominees must be renowned for a significant, exceptional accomplishment in the trade. They must demonstrate their expertise in a video, and they must prove their merits and achievements in at least 4 of the following professional fields:
Education/Vocational Training
International Competitions
Publications
Innovation
Marketing

UIBC SELECT CLUB – RIGTS AND DUTIES

-The members of the SELECT CLUB are entitled to participate in the UIBC Congresses in an advisory capacity, without voting rights.
-They engage themselves to cooperate with the UIBC through the dissemination of its activities, the support of its competitions, the inclusion of the UIBC logo and a link in their social networks, the attraction of new members and sponsors, the active collaboration in the UIBC Assistance Package and, in general, by supporting activities in defense of the baking and pastry sectors worldwide.
-They will do their tasks related to UIBC for free, except in specific cases when the Presidium may decide otherwise.
-The UIBC Presidium will propose every year a program for the members of the Select Club.
-Their membership in the Club is for life. But, in case any of the members of the Select Club carries out activities harmful to the UIBC or to the baking and/or confectionery sectors, the Presidium may agree by a 3/4 majority his/her expulsion from the Select Club.
-They will be presented an award and a specific medal, that they are entitled to use on all occasions. The Award will be presented every year to the new members by the President of the UIBC or the Presidium member in which he may delegate.

DECIPHERING THE SYMBOLISM OF THE MEDAL:

The front of the Medal portrays a World map at its center. Above the map is the Logo of UIBC- International Union of Bakers and Confectioners. Over the logo are the words: “BAKING WITHOUT BORDERS” which connects bakers and confectioners all over the world together.
Beneath the map are the letters “SELECT CLUB” or, in other words, the “Chosen Ones”.
Underneath is a cocoa bean indicating the confectioner’s profession. Cocoa served in Maya and Aztec cultures as a symbol of the afterlife. Thus, cocoa carried meanings of both rebirth and new life. Additionally, cocoa came to be associated with wealth, power, and trade.
Around the medal there is a laurel wreath made out of wheat, indicating the baker profession. The symbol of the laurel wreath comes from the Greek mythology and In Ancient Rome it was worn on the head as a symbol of triumph. Jesus uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat to illustrate the importance of the death of the ego in the pursuit of salvation and entering the Kingdom of Heaven. In modern times, in some countries, the laurel wreath is used as a symbol of the master’s degree in education.
A powerful and inspiring color of the burgundy ribbon excites the emotions, moving us to act and is the embodiment of admiration, determination, and passion.
The reverse side of the Medal features a number that indicates who is carrying it.