Young Tasmanian baker Bjarke Svendsgaard has claimed the 2023 LA Judge Award for Baking Apprentice of the Year.
The LA Judge Award has been running for well over 50 years to advance the skills of young bakers and identify future baking industry trailblazers.
Bjarke, from Olivers Latrobe Cafe Bakery in Latrobe, was officially announced the winner at a gala event in Sydney on Thursday, 11 May 2023, presented by AEGIC and Woolworths.
Bjarke triumphed after a hard-fought contest at the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) Sydney Pilot Bakery between 9-11 May. Not far behind was Western Australia's Jackson Kiely (Coles Haynes), who won second prize.
LA Judge Award Director Dr Ken Quail said AEGIC was proud to foster innovation among young bakers and encourage them to push the baking industry forward.
"This event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young bakers to develop their talents and make important connections with industry leaders. Winners and competitors often go on to achieve great things in the industry," he said.
"Being selected for this competition is a great accomplishment. All the talented candidates pushed themselves, gave their best and performed extremely well in what is a fun, but pretty tough contest. They all did themselves, their trainers and their bakeries proud.
"A big congratulations to Bjarke, who performed consistently well across the competition. Bjarke's skills in baking, theory, and presentation were all exceptional."
Thanks to baking and ingredients company Puratos, Bjarke will enjoy an all-expenses-paid journey to Belgium. Over a week, Bjarke will train with Puratos in bread and patisserie baking, and explore the Belcolade Chocolate Centre, the Centre for Bread Flavour, the Sourdough Library and Maison Du Levain.
Runner-up Jackson Kiely will receive $1500 cash, plus two days training with Puratos in Sydney, including accommodation.
The other contenders, Daniel Blackburn (Queensland) and Damiem Witting (Victoria), will also benefit from Puratos' training.
Dr Quail said the LA Judge Award relies on the backing of industry sponsors. "Once again, the Australian baking and allied industries came together to make the LA Judge Award possible," he said.
The LA Judge Award is a not-for-profit event organised and hosted by AEGIC as a way of supporting the Australian baking industry and the young bakers who are its future.
Established in 1967, the LA Judge Award is open to young apprentice bakers eager to carve a path in the Australian baking industry.
The competition spans three days and covers all aspects of baking, including practical baking skills, technical knowledge, and presentation abilities.
2023 LA Judge Award candidates
- Daniel Blackburn, Creative Crusts (Belmont, Queensland)
- Bjarke Svendsgaard, Olivers Latrobe Café Bakery (Latrobe, Tasmania)
- Damien Witting, Salus Bakery (Wangaratta, Victoria)
- Jackson Kiely, Coles (Haynes, Western Australia)
