Federation TAFE students win at Excellence in Baking competition

At the 2023 Excellence in Baking national competition, Federation TAFE students achieved honours, with Maylee Howard awarded National Apprentice Pastry Cook of the Year and Caleb Braszell named National Apprentice Baker of the Year.

The students competed against several rising stars in the Australian baking industry, with the competition held as part of the Baking Industry Trade Show in Sydney over two days, from 30 to 31 May. Governor of NSW Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC presented the awards at the National Excellence in Baking Awards Dinner on 31 May.

Tony Smith, Executive Officer of the Baking Association of Australia (BAA), organisers of the Baking Industry Trade Show, said the event is one of the most prestigious in the baking industry.

Howard competed in the pastry category of the competition making 10 different pastries in 6.5 hours including Strawberry and Basil Eclairs, Lemon Myrtle Meringue Tarts, Finger Lime and Dark Chocolate Tarts, Opera Gateau and Creamy Portobello Mushroom Pie, while Braszell competed in the bread category producing 15 different types of bread including Ciabatta, Grain Cobbs, Baguettes, Brioche Beesting, Viennas and Mushroom Filled Brioche in the same amount of time.

To compete in the nationals, Howard and Braszell first won the pastry and bread categories at the Victorian Excellence in Baking competition in February. They then prepared for the national competition with the help of Federation TAFE teachers and trainers Dean Baker, Brendan Carter, Murray Lewis and Lisa Scarff.

Both Howard and Braszell were pleased to receive the honours and share the moment with each other.

Following their win, Braszell was introduced to celebrity chef Neil Perry and spent his remaining time in Sydney working at a bakery while Howard toured a patisserie factory where she will return later in the year for work experience.

Maylee is an apprentice at family business Porter Avenue Pies and Cakes while Caleb is an apprentice at Baker Blue in Caulfield. The three-year Certificate III in Baking program is a workplace and classroom-based apprenticeship.

“Federation TAFE is incredibly proud of Maylee and Caleb for taking out the top honours at the Excellence in Baking competition and receiving the recognition they deserve at a national level,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive TAFE.