Bowler Michael a bread-winner on screen
Post date: Feb 16, 2017 5:28:54 PM
Stamford IBC bowler and master baker Michael Humphreys, how he appears in the Tesco commercial
IF YOU have checked the prime-time TV advertisements lately, Stamford IBC members may have noticed a familiar face in unfamiliar surroundings, writes press officer Bob Warters.
Stamford Indoor Bowls Club A team regular Michael Humphreys has been starring in a 30-second commercial for Tesco's in-store bakeries, showing how the company are bringing the latest bakery skills to their thousands of outlets.
The 50- year old from Gunthorpe is a qualified master baker and senior bakery technologist for flour suppliers Heygates. He is currently 'upskilling' Tesco's bakery managers to illustrate in the clip how top quality products are made on the premises.Says Michael, who has a level 5 NVQ in bakery and was head-hunted by Heygates after 30 years with Tesco's: " The commercial was filmed in October over 14 hours by a crew of 11 - including my own dedicated make-up artist - at Heygates' flour mill in Bugbrooke near Northampton."I recall that apart from some wry comments about my technique in moulding the dough, there was only one out-take when I inadvertently said 'ain't' instead of isn't. And there were no rehearsals as working with dough has to be right first time."Michael revealed that he has been bowling for five years and plays outdoors for City of Peterborough and the Northants Federation."I enjoy the competitiveness of bowls and have made some real friends, especially indoors with a few individuals giving me the opportunity to progress and play to a higher standard."
He said that filming the commercial was a lot of fun but with a serious message that with the popularity of home baking, thanks to the current fascination with the art on television, Tesco is determined to show that their breads and rolls are locally produced.
Though he has the obvious bakery skills, Michael denied that the advertisement was part of his bid to secure a presenting job on the next series of the 'Great British Bake-off'!
But as Tesco regularly declares, every little helps!