Bernd Kütscher, Director of the Federal Baking Academy Weinheim, is stepping down at the end of May. He hands over the management of the Akademie Deutsches Bäckerhandwerk Weinheim after 19 years. The organization is recognized for bread sommelier training, with 279 graduates from 12 countries to date.

“The decision was anything but easy for me, but you should leave when the time is right. With the completion of the modernization and expansion work this year, the Federal Academy is not only professionally, but also structurally and technically well equipped for the future,” explains Kütscher. “I am very grateful to everyone involved for the trust they have placed in me and I am delighted that the continuation of my mission is well secured by an excellent team.”

Kütscher will continue to manage the business until iba in Düsseldorf in May 2025. “We continue to have full confidence in Bernd Kütscher and his proven team and will continue to work with him very closely and trustingly until his departure. We are certain that the Bundesakademie Weinheim will continue to develop positively with new impetus after his departure,” adds Roland Ermer, President of the Central Association of the German Bakery Trade and Board Member of the Academy.

During this time, he modernized the Academy both technically and structurally, increasing awareness about the organization’s work and increasing participation in educational events many times over. “We are very grateful to Bernd Kütscher for his services and numerous impulses for the bakery trade and the Weinheim Academy,” comments Roland Ermer. ”With Mr. Kütscher, the Academy was able to raise its reputation in the industry to the highest level. Today, the Bundesakademie Weinheim stands for a sustainable industry with excellently trained specialists. We very much regret Mr. Kütscher’s decision, but we also understand his desire for change,” he added.

Kütscher has been Head of the Academy since 2006; two years after that,  he also took over the management of the German Bread Institute. The German Bread Register was introduced under his leadership. The register, which now lists over 3,000 bread specialties, contributed to having the German bread culture included in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

Kütscher also founded the national bakery team in 2008 and coached numerous teams for top competitions. The Weinheim Bread Language and the Bread of the Year award can also be attributed to him. In his future projects, starting in June, he will continue to focus on the baking industry.

Photo: Bernd Kütscher, LinkedIn