Engineer turned baker takes top award

The award, which was announced in Sydney last night, recognises the best apprentice baker from Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement follows three days of rigorous competition which included eight written exams, costing, production, ingredients and processing exercises, as well as tests on flour quality and missions to fill orders under pressure.

Mr Li, a second-year apprentice from Bakers Delight, Noranda, Perth, was overwhelmed with his win.

“It feels great,” he said.

The finalists Mr Li outcompeted were Melvin Chan, Prospect, South Australia; Bree Ann Scott, Lyttelton, New Zealand; Michael Chapman, Echuca, Victoria; Matthew Moon, Nowra, NSW.

“When I started the competition and I saw how high the calibre of the other bakers were I was daunted but it really pushed me to try my best and reach the same level they were.”

All practical baking took place at Grain Grower’s pilot bakery in North Ryde.

Mr Li, who has a background in mechanical engineering, began his baking apprenticeship just 18 months ago.

“When I started my apprenticeship it was for a bit of fun because I wanted to learn a new skill; I loved baking and wanted a break from engineering,” he said.

“In my time as a baker I’ve become more and more passionate about it and more invested in the industry”.

In the future he would like to combine his expertise in mechanical engineering and baking.

“There’s a lot of potential for me to go into baking machinery,” he said.

For his efforts, Mr Li won a $7000 travel voucher to help him further his studies.

The L.A. Judge Award was established in 1967 in honour of baking industry pioneer Les Judge.