Teaching Batch Production - Its a piece of cake

Ive just read Kate's blog about using the 'cake boss' to draw out the learning in relation to job production. Belting idea. I'm also a huge fan of the cake boss (and cake for that matter).Anyway, this reminded me of a cracking activity I did with my GCSE class a while back and I think using Kates idea and then perhaps this activity would provide a nice thread to teach job and batch production.One year I decided to do something different to teach batch production. I was in the baking aisle at Sainsbury's when I saw those boxes of cupcake mix, the ones that make about 12 mini cup cakes. They come complete with the little paper cases and some nice little decorations for the top . I bought two packs of these and took them into school. I spoke to the HE department and arranged a business lesson in one of the cookery rooms.The activity was simple. I got the students to make cupcakes! I started off the lesson with a quick intro into batch production and then all the learning was delivered by the power of the cupcake. Once the cupcakes were baked we discussed the pro's and con's of batch production and for the plenary, we ate the cupcakes.Simples.........