From Hospitality Leader to Award-Winning Baker

After over a decade of leading a team at a hospitality management training company, coaching young staff through to management, Andy pivoted to a hands-on, creatively fulfilling role as an apprentice at Bakers Delight.

"Baking has always been a passion, and if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life," said Andy.

Inspired by early memories of baking cookies with his family and a lifelong love for culinary creativity, Andy saw the transition as a natural next step in their journey.

However, like all career changers, the leap from hospitality to baking wasn’t taken lightly.

After much reflection, Andy enrolled in TAFE Queensland’s Certificate III in Bread Baking (FPB30421), where he built a solid foundation of skills and knowledge. At the same time, he quickly secured an apprenticeship with Bakers Delight.

"I knew of TAFE Queensland’s reputation of quality education, and I wanted to learn from the basics from their industry professional teachers," he shared.

Combining on-the-job learning through his apprenticeship and TAFE Queensland block training gave Andy the confidence and hands-on experience necessary to excel as a baker.

"Baking offers the perfect outlet for my creativity. The transformative process of combining simple ingredients into delightful creations fascinates me, and I enjoy experimenting with flavours that reflect my personality and baking philosophy,” reflected Andy.

His TAFE Queensland training gave him the hands-on skills to create a variety of bread, from savoury loaves to artisan specialties, while mastering essential food safety and production scheduling, helping Andy change his career to become an award-winning apprentice.

The 2024 Bakers Delight Apprentice of the Year award competition began with regional heats in May, followed by a phone interview with a panel of judges in July, culminating in a high-stakes final bake-off in September.

His mastery of creating Bakers Delight products, including a High Protein Wholegrain Loaf, a White Round Roll, a Cheesymite scroll, a White Vienna loaf, a White Flour Loaf, and Sourdough Vienna, showcased his impeccable technique.

The victory comes with a well-deserved prize - Andy will embark on a Melbourne study tour alongside other regional winners as part of the grand prize.

The tour will include hands-on demonstrations with industry leaders, visits to Australia’s largest bread factories, and an exclusive dinner with Bakers Delight’s CEO, David Christie and founders Roger and Lesley Gillespie.

Being named Queensland’s Bakers Delight Apprentice of the Year was a powerful confirmation of his decision to pursue a new career path.

“To be recognised this way has been such an affirmation, not just of my work, but of my entire team’s support,” he continued.

Embracing every step of this new journey, Andy’s transition from trainer to baker reflects his passion for growth and a love for hands-on work.

Early morning starts, working with his hands, and creating quality products are just a few highlights of Andy's daily joy as a baker.

“I love crafting food that feeds our community. Sourdough is a personal favourite to make, with its endless variations and the quest for the ‘perfect loaf.’ It’s a bread with endless possibilities, where the taste is unique to each baker's preference,” he explained.

Speaking highly of TAFE Queensland’s supportive environment and the camaraderie among his classmates, Andy cites his teachers for playing a pivotal role in helping him secure his apprenticeship and encouraging him to compete in baking competitions.

"TAFE Queensland helped me expand my skill set, change my career and broaden my horizons," he added, expressing appreciation for his teachers, the state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and diverse perspectives.

While his long-term goal is to open his bakery one day, Andy is continuing his studies with the Certificate III in Patisserie (SIT310616), developing skills in baking and patisserie.

The patisserie course further develops baking and patisserie skills by giving him the essential skills and foundational knowledge to master cakes, desserts, and petit fours.

“I’m loving every moment so far - learning to push myself outside my comfort zone is exciting,” he said.

With the strong foundation built through TAFE Queensland, there’s no doubt Andy is on a promising path.

“TAFE Queensland’s courses in baking and patisserie offer aspiring bakers like me the chance to learn from experienced professionals, build confidence, and acquire practical skills in state-of-the-art facilities.”

“I’ve learned so much; winning the Bakers Delight Apprentice of the Year award was an incredibly motivating experience to keep pushing myself and exploring new opportunities in this industry,” concluded Andy.