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There are few hotels in Ontario and beyond that Judith Bamford hasn’t worked at. With a lifelong career in the hospitality industry that spans across the country and includes working in establishments such as the Four Seasons and Deerhurst Resort, Judith is no stranger to hard work and making people feel at home. She has spent decades working in various management, sales and marketing positions. She’s even been an executive housekeeper. “Boy can I make a bed,” she said.

            She first became involved with SIRCH when she decided retirement wasn’t for her and she joined the organization as the Ready for Retail coordinator. She has held many positions with SIRCH and is currently the Kitchen Coordinator for the Bistro.

            You can often find her planning menus, doing inventory and most importantly, baking delicious goods. She learned to bake from her mom, who taught her as a young girl. “We would get off the school bus to be welcomed by the wonderful aroma of home baked breads, pies, cookies and Chelsea buns.  I can smell it now.  As the oldest of 8, I was Mom’s right hand and from ever since I can remember I loved to bake.  The feeling of the dough when kneading, the aroma of the bread baking, nothing beats this,” she said.  Some of her specialties include rustic artisan loaves, which she loves to add flavour to with herbs, cheeses and infused oils.

Born and raised in the Harcourt area, Judith’s family roots in the Highlands go as far back as the 1800s. Her grandfather was even the postmaster in Highland Grove. She continues to be involved in the community, serving as the chair of the Harcourt Community Centre and active with the Harcourt Community Chapel.

            When she’s not working or volunteering you can most likely find her spending time with her four dogs, Gertie Lou, Coco Grace, Bootsy Boy and Matilda Joy.