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 2023 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 2023 BITA Apprentice Awards were presented 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 a graduation cap 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 the 2023 BITA Apprentice Awards 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 Place
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 the 2023 BITA Apprentice Awards 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 2023 BITA Apprentice Awards 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 2023 BITA Apprentice Awards & Graduation 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.
