Sharni goes from school-based apprentice to store manager

Today, she’s the store manager and head chef at Flour & Chocolate Patisserie’s Morningside store - leading a busy kitchen team and mentoring the next generation of bakers following in her footsteps.

But her journey started long before she put on her first chef’s jacket.

As a high school student, Sharni knew university wasn’t for her. She was hands-on, creative, and loved spending her weekends baking with her mum and grandmother in the family kitchen.

“My school had a great program with TAFE Queensland that helped students explore apprenticeships,” Sharni said.

“I always loved baking, so I chose that as my first option. I was fortunate to have Flour & Chocolate Patisserie as my first workplace, and after a few weeks, I asked if I could start an apprenticeship. I’ve been here ever since.”

Sharni studied a Certificate III in Baking (FBP30521) through TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus as a School-Based Apprentice, spending three days a week at high school and two days baking in the store.

The School-Based Apprentice program allowed her to earn while she learned, build valuable industry connections, and develop practical skills alongside experienced professionals.

“It was the perfect balance. I could still go to school and see my friends, but I was also doing something I really loved,” she said.

While transitioning from school to a professional kitchen might sound daunting, Sharni said the support from both TAFE Queensland and her workplace made it seamless.

“My teacher, Cassy Baker, was incredible. She regularly visited me at the bakery to see my progress, help with my workbook, and check in with me. I also attended training blocks at South Bank, and it was a supportive environment - I never felt like I was on my own,” Sharni said.

The early mornings that can challenge many apprentice bakers didn’t bother Sharni, as she was accustomed to getting up early for competitive swimming.

“Being a successful junior and age-group swimmer, I’ve learnt to love early mornings, and being a baker just carried on from training days in the pool.”

As Sharni’s passion and work ethic blossomed, her skills and leadership potential also rose, leading to her rapid promotion within the business.

After completing her apprenticeship and graduating from TAFE Queensland in 2019, she became the head chef, overseeing Flour & Chocolate Patisserie’s production team in 2021.

Soon after, she also took on the role of store manager, overseeing both the retail and kitchen operations at the Morningside store.

“It’s a really family-oriented place to work, with great bosses and an amazing team, it’s so much fun to come to work every day.”

Now, Sharni mentors TAFE Queensland apprentices of her own, a full-circle moment that she finds deeply rewarding.

“We’ve had a few apprentices come through from TAFE Queensland. The baking courses are so great, they come to us with real skills and quickly figure out if baking is truly for them,” she said.

Sharni admits that baking isn’t always easy - it’s physically demanding, fast-paced, and often starts before sunrise - but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a tough industry, but the toughest chefs I’ve worked with are the ones who taught me the most,” she said.

“Sometimes you just have to take things on the chin and keep going, because that’s where you grow the most.”

Despite the early mornings, hard work and balancing competing priorities, Sharni can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I was only 15 when I started, so I was still figuring out what I wanted to do. But once I started baking, I just knew this was it.”

“Now I’m running a store, creating things I love, and teaching others to do the same. I feel really lucky.”

Sharni’s story is a testament to the power of passion and opportunity and how TAFE Queensland’s School-Based Apprenticeship program helps young people get a head start in their dream careers.

“If you want to explore a trade, just go for it - you never know until you try. While it may be tough at times, and every job has its own set of challenges, keep thinking about the bigger picture - it’s worth it in the end,” concluded Sharni.