Media releases

Federation TAFE students have risen to the challenge at the 2023 Excellence in Baking national competition with Maylee Howard awarded National Apprentice Pastry Cook of the Year and Caleb Braszell named National Apprentice Baker of the Year.

To win the honours, Certificate III in Baking students Maylee and Caleb competed against the Australian baking industry’s brightest rising stars in the competition held as part of the Baking Industry Trade Show in Sydney over two days, from 30 to 31 May.

The Awards were presented by the Governor of NSW Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC at the National Excellence in Baking Awards Dinner at the QVB TEA Rooms, Sydney on the evening of Wednesday 31 May.

“The Excellence in Baking is one the most prestigious events for the baking industry, promoting some the best apprentices we have across Australia as they come together to compete at the Trade Show in front of a live audience,” said Tony Smith, Executive Officer of the Baking Association of Australia (BAA), organisers of the Baking Industry Trade Show.

Maylee competed in the pastry category of the competition making ten 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 Caleb 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 earn their place at the nationals Maylee and Caleb first won the pastry and bread categories at the Victorian Excellence in Baking competition in February. The students then intensively prepared for the national competition with the help of Federation TAFE teachers and trainers Dean Baker and Brendan Carter and Murray Lewis and Lisa Scarff.

Maylee was understandably emotional to receive the honour, “I burst into tears. It was ridiculously overwhelming. I wasn’t expecting it at all. When I was called up to the stage to receive the award, I saw a little card on the lectern with Caleb’s name on it to be announced next, so I knew he’d won before he did.”

Caleb was pleased to share the big moment with Maylee, “When we won, I was so chuffed. They read out Maylee’s name first and I was so pleased for her, then for both of us to win, it was just so great because we had prepared and practiced together to get there. It felt awesome to share it with her.”

Following the win there was no rest for the pair who made the most of their remaining time in Sydney with Caleb introduced to celebrity chef Neil Perry and working at a bakery, and Maylee touring 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.

Quote attributable to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive TAFE, Mr Liam Sloan  

“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.”

“Federation TAFE aims to deliver student excellence and ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. Credit goes to our baking and cookery teachers and trainers for the great work they put in with both apprentices in practicing for the competition.”

Quote attributable to Head of Centre, Service Industries and the Built Environment, Sharyn Wright

“Well done to our students, Maylee and Caleb. The products they produced looked amazing and it was easy to see why they are the best! Our Federation TAFE teachers deserve recognition for their efforts in getting our students competition-ready too. Like the rest of Team TAFE, they are such great mentors and a credit to their profession. To receive these national awards is a great outcome for all.”