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Tips for Bakers: Preparing Your Tool Demo for the Great Digital Preservation Bake Off at iPRES 2025

  • ipres20254
  • Oct 13
  • 3 min read

Updated: Oct 30

Digital Preservation Bake Off 2019
The Great Digital Preservation Bake Off at iPRES 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The Great Digital Preservation Bake Off is one of the most beloved events at iPRES, and this year’s Tool Demo promises to be a lively showcase of creativity, problem-solving, and digital preservation flavor. Whether you’re presenting onsite or virtually, here are a few tips to help your demo shine and your audience leave hungry for more.


Know Your Slot and Format

Each baker will have 10 minutes to demonstrate their tool, followed by a short audience Q&A. There’s just enough time for a minute or two between bakers, so please be ready when it’s your turn.

  • Onsite bakers: Have your laptop ready to connect quickly. HDMI is available; check your setup in advance.

  • Virtual bakers: Be prepared to go live, but also record a 10-minute backup video in case of technical issues. You’ll receive a Dropbox link to upload your MP4 file before the event.


Live Is Better (Almost Always)

Slides? Leave them in the pantry or risk rotten fruit from the audience. The Bake Off is all about live demonstrations; the audience loves seeing things happen in real time. Please don’t pre-bake portions of your demo. The joy of the Bake Off is in the spontaneity and even the occasional “oops!”

If you’re presenting virtually, a pre-recorded version is your safety net in case of a connection meltdown—but plan to demo live whenever possible.


Stick to the Ingredients

All bakers must use data from the official Bake Off Pantry (no substitutions!). You’ll find it here: Bake Off Pantry. Bringing your own ingredients is strictly forbidden unless you want to risk an audience uprising armed with underbaked muffins. New additions to the pantry are highlighted below.

If you have any last-minute additions to the pantry (remember, ingredients must be from the pantry!), then submit them via Box now, packaged as a ZIP with an open license. 


Tasting Spoon vs. Amuse Bouche

This year’s Bake Off has two demo styles:

  • Amuse Bouche: Small, sharp, code-focused demos—think quick scripts or single-function tools.

  • Tasting Spoon: Broader, more integrated systems or workflows—deliciously practical, with plenty to chew on.

Each format gives the audience a sense of scale and scope—so let your presentation style match the size of your submitted creation.


On the Day

All sessions will be held on Wednesday, 5 November (Conference Day 2), NZDT (UTC-13):

  • Session 1 (10:45–12:00): All virtual bakers

  • Session 2 (13:00–14:30): Onsite bakers

  • Session 3 (15:00–16:30): Onsite bakers

In the room, you’ll find a plenary table setup (like a panel), with a lectern, projector, microphones, Wi-Fi, and HDMI connections. Micky Lindlar and Nathan Tallman will facilitate sessions, with Chelsea Denault and Georgia Moppett supporting virtual bakers and audience interaction.


Prizes and Glory

Every baker will receive a coveted Bake Off mini-spatula (in-person only, sorry, virtual chefs!). The audience will vote for their favorite demo in each session, with one overall prize awarded to the winner of the Amuse Bouche and Tasting Spoon categories. And yes, there will be special Bake Off treats for everyone.


Final Tips

  • Rehearse your 10 minutes; it goes faster than you think.

  • Test your Wi-Fi, HDMI connection, and any dependencies ahead of time.

  • Keep it simple and interactive; let your tool do the talking.

  • Most importantly, have fun. The Bake Off is about sharing creativity, not perfection.

So, preheat your laptops, sharpen your spatulas, and get ready to serve up something unforgettable at the iPRES 2025 Tool Demo Bake-Off!

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