Offering a European perspective on retail baking, Europain 2005, to be held in Paris, April 16-20, expects about 600 exhibitors. The trade show, which occurs triennially, will be the largest international baking event of the year.

Bread is a way of life for the French. They consume more than 10 billion baguettes a day, and each person consumes an average of 160g of bread daily, according to UFFEB, the bakery equipment association that hosts Europain. The craft boulangerie-pâtisserie remains the favorite local store for the French. Two thirds of households visit their local baker an average of four times a week, more often than nearly any other retail business.

To learn more about France’s deep-rooted baking traditions at Europain 2005, visit www.europain.com, and click on the British flag for the English version.