WorldSkills Gold ignites Liana’s patisserie career

The second-year apprentice is completing a Certificate III in Baking (FBP30521) while working full-time at Horner’s of Sorrento Bakery and Patisserie.

In June 2026, she tested those skills in the Patisserie category at the Brisbane Regional WorldSkills competition - and took home gold.

“I remember seeing the email with the result and literally jumping up and down because I was so excited,” Liana said.

“Winning gold was amazing, especially because it was my first ever competition. It gave me a lot more confidence in my skills and showed me what I’m capable of when I push myself outside my comfort zone.”

Liana’s passion for baking began early, making cakes and treats for family and friends.

Before her apprenticeship, she tried several jobs and even considered university, but realised her future was in baking and patisserie.

“I was pretty close to going to university, but once I realised how much I loved baking and patisserie, I decided to follow my passion instead,” she said.

After emailing local bakeries to get started, she interviewed at Horner’s of Sorrento Bakery and Patisserie and began work the next day. Fast forward 18 months, and Liana knows she is in the right industry.

“I’ve learnt so much through my apprenticeship. I’ve found a career I really love doing.”

She chose both patisserie and baking to build broad industry skills, from intricate pastry work to bread and sourdough.

“Patisserie is a huge passion of mine, but I also wanted to learn the baking side. I think having both at the same time has been valuable and gives me more options for where I can take my career,” she said.

Combining her TAFE Queensland training with an apprenticeship means Liana can immediately apply new techniques in a commercial bakery.

“TAFE’s supportive and hands-on training gave me the knowledge and techniques behind what I’m doing, and then working in the bakery lets me put those skills into practice every day,” she said.

She credits her TAFE teachers and workplace mentors with building her technical skills and confidence.

TAFE Queensland teachers Michael McCarthy, Cassy Baker and Jade Halloran supported her training and WorldSkills preparation.

Her employer, Rob Horner and the wider Horner’s of Sorrento team provided encouragement and valuable industry experience.

Liana also says her main pastry chef, Shane Wilson, has played an important role in her development.

“He’s always really helpful, answers my questions and has played a huge part in developing my skills throughout my apprenticeship,” she said.

Liana was encouraged by her employer, Rob Horner, to take on the WorldSkills challenge. It was her first competition and well outside her comfort zone, but she saw it as a chance to test herself.

“I’d never competed before, so it was definitely outside my comfort zone, but I thought it would be a really good way to challenge myself, test my skills and try something completely new,” she said.

Preparation meant hours of practice, especially on the skills she most wanted to strengthen.

“I spent a lot of time practising at work and after work, especially focusing on the things I wasn’t as confident with. Working on my weaknesses, listening to advice and pushing myself really helped,” she said.

The work paid off: Liana placed first in the regional Patisserie competition, and her WorldSkills journey had begun.

Now preparing for the Queensland WorldSkills Competition, against the best bakery apprentices from around the state, Liana is eager to learn from coaches and industry professionals.

“Chocolate work is a priority because I have limited opportunities to practice it at work. I’d really like to build my skills and confidence in that before the next competition,” she said.

While she enjoys every aspect of baking, the creativity and intricate detail of patisserie inspire her most, and it's where she sees her future career.

“I’d love to specialise in patisserie, especially things that involve lots of intricate little details and creativity,” she said.

She has also launched a small cake business, PAREL Patisserie, giving her another outlet to experiment with designs and hone her craft.

For Liana, the greatest reward is not simply creating something beautiful - it is seeing the recipient’s reaction.

“I love creating things, but my favourite part is giving what I’ve made to someone and seeing their reaction. Knowing that I can make someone happy is probably my favourite part of what I do.”

Over the next five to 10 years, Liana hopes to travel and work around the world, learning from pastry chefs and exploring different baking traditions and techniques.

European pastry culture particularly inspires her, and she hopes to weave those experiences into her own style.

“I want to keep developing my skills and see how far I can take my career in patisserie,” she said.

“One of my biggest dreams is to travel the world and learn from different pastry chefs and different cultures.”

For now, she is focused on the next WorldSkills stage, completing her apprenticeship and seizing every chance to learn.

Her advice to aspiring bakers is simple: experiment, embrace challenges and do not dismiss ideas that initially feel out of reach.

“Be creative, open-minded and don’t be afraid to think outside the box,” she said.

“If someone asks you to create something and your first thought is that you can’t do it, don’t immediately shut the idea down. There’s normally a way to figure it out.”

“I think you learn the most when you push yourself to try things you’re not completely comfortable with,” concluded Liana.