The Queensland baking industry got together at Victoria Park Function Rooms on 1 November 2023 to announce and celebrate the winners of the 2023 BITA Apprentice Awards and celebrate the Graduating Class of 2023. 

The BITA Apprentice Awards are facilitated by Registered Training Organisation Baking Industry Training Australia (BITA) (Provider #31200) to recognise and reward the younger generation of bakers and pastrycooks for their skills, hard work, and dedication to their career.

This year a total of 28 awards were awarded including Apprentice of the Year for each year of each qualification, the school-based Apprentice of the year, the Rising Star Award, and the Overall Apprentice of the Year. More than 60 apprentices completed their qualification this year with 12 joining us on the night to receive their graduation caps and gift pack. 

The 2023 Overall Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Michael Eason from Ten Acres who is completing the final year of his Certificate III in Baking. The Rising Star award was awarded to Imogen Fearon from Choquette, who is in the second year of her Certificate III in Baking qualification.

The winners of Apprentice of the Year for the Baking Qualification, sponsored by Woolworths include the following:

First Year        First Place       Zachary Hill of Knot Just Bread
                        Second Place  Alisha Reukers of Brumby's Bakery Highfields
                        Third Place      Cameron Wilson of Rockhampton Wholesale Bakehouse

Second Year   First Place       Sarina Castillo of Sprout Artisan Bakery
                        Second Place  Ellie Cash of Tinana's Hot Bread Shop
                        Third Place      Connor Laverty of O'Donnell's Bakehouse

Third Year       First Place       Michael Eason of Ten Acres
                        Second Place  Hector Escriva of Curcio's Bakery Products
                        Third Place      Cameron Wallis of Brumby's Bakery Highfields

The winners of Apprentice of the Year for the Cake and Pastry Qualification include the following:

First Year        First Place       Emma Parker of Buck's Bakery Landsborough
                        Second Place  Carlotta Sands of Ready Bake
                        Third Place      Casey Larden of Horner's of Sorrento

Second Year   First Place       Diana Rodriguez-Ramirez of Ma Boulange Café Patisserie
                        Second Place  Alyssa Hatherell of Grant's Cakes & Pies
                        Third Place      Sandi Farmer Jean Pierre Patisserie

Third Year       First Place       Isabella Mackail of Otto's Market       

The winners of Apprentice of the Year for the Bread Baking Qualification, sponsored by Allied Pinnacle include the following:

First Year        First Place       Dayle Gillan of IGA Queen St Village
                        Second Place  Jack Cameron of Noosa Gourmet
                        Third Place      Jai Trim of Woolworths Warner

Second Year   First Place       Georgia Minter of Woolworths Sugarland Bundaberg
                        Second Place  Ethan Perry of Woolworths Forest Lake
                        Third Place      Thomas Birmingham of Sprout Artisan Bakery

Third Year       First Place       Cade Nielsen of Jean Pierre Patisserie
                        Second Place  Rachael Hurley of Woolworths Holmeview
                        Third Place      Steffanie Matthews of Wandal Hot Bread Shop

The winner of the School-Based Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by National Baking Industry Association was Aleesha Dowdle of Sweet & Flour Bakery.

On behalf of all BITA Apprentices, their employers, and those who attended the evening, we would like to thank MOI International as presenting sponsor, Allied Pinnacle, Woolworths, and National Baking Industry Association as award sponsors, and Manildra Group as graduation sponsor. The evening also wouldn't be possible without the support from supporting sponsors Cybake Bakery Software, KBI, Pyney's Pie Reviews, and Bakery in a Box.

A fantastic evening was had by all with many laughs and interesting interviews from MC Shaun Pyne of Pyney's Pie Reviews. Thank you to all industry representatives and apprentices' parents for joining us in celebration of these fantastic young bakers. 

2023 BITA Graduating Apprentices

Imogen Fearon - 2023 Rising Star with BITA Trainer Martin Schett and Chouquette Business Owner Alexander Choux

Woolworths Apprentices

Event MC Shaun Pyne

Contact

For further information about the 2022 BITA Apprentice Awards please contact Natalie Kingcott via marketing@nbia.org.au or on 0477 666 599 or visit the BITA website at www.bita.org.au.

About BITA

Baking Industry Training Australia (BITA) is a fully registered training organisation (Provider #31200) that delivers nationally accredited apprenticeships for the baking industry in Queensland and New South Wales. BITA is owned and operated as the training arm of the National Baking Industry Association (NBIA) which is a 'not-for-profit' organisation. That means all funds generated through training are re-invested directly back into the development of the baking industry.

BITA is industry recognised for delivering high quality professional training that drives the future of the baking industry. As an RTO they offer specialised on-site programs delivered under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) and designed to meet the needs of school-based apprentices, apprentices, employers, and the industry. BITA courses are nationally recognised programs specifically tailored to the needs of the baking industry.