New South Wales baker wins LA Judge Award for Baking Apprentice of the Year

17 May, 2019

In an extremely close contest, Dungog baker Tristan Beisler has claimed the LA Judge Award for Baking Apprentice of the Year.

Tristan, from Barrington Bakery in Dungog, fended off some very strong competition – especially from Queensland’s Lydia Horne and New Zealand’s Trae Wawatai – to emerge victorious.

Less than 1.5 points out of a total of 100 separated the trio at the end of the three-day competition.

Tristan was officially crowned the winner at a gala ceremony in Sydney last night, presented by AEGIC and Woolworths. As part of his prize, Tristan will receive a five-day all-expenses-paid trip to Belgium to visit the headquarters of eminent baking and ingredients company Puratos. Tristan will have the opportunity to take part in bakery demonstrations, tour Puratos’ famed sourdough library and visit its various museums and facilities.

As runner-up, Lydia wins a two-day workshop in the Puratos Hong Kong baking centre.

Tristan said he had worked in his family business from a young age.

“I’ve been helping out my dad at the bakery for as long as I can remember,” he said.

“Watching people eat my baking always puts a smile on my face.”

LA Judge Award Director Dr Ken Quail said the six candidates from around Australia and New Zealand were all very promising young bakers.

“Competing in the LA Judge Award is a triumph just by itself. All six of this year’s bakers should be very proud of themselves. The future of the industry is in good hands,” he said.

“This year was an especially hard-fought and close competition with very little separating the top three candidates.

“Congratulations to everyone, especially Tristan. Tristan worked extremely hard and the results are clearly a reflection of the time and effort he put both into the preparation and at the competition.”

Dr Quail said the LA Judge Award relied on the support of industry sponsors. “The support from the sponsors this year was fantastic and we encourage the baking industry to get behind these companies as they are investing in the future of our industry.”

The LA Judge Award has been running since 1967 and is open to young apprentice bakers under 23 who are keen to make their mark on the baking industry. The competition takes place over three days and includes all aspects of baking, including practical baking skills, technical knowledge and presentation abilities.

Dr Quail thanked the judges of the 2019 LA Judge Award:

  • Brad Hewitt, Lesaffre
  • Ashley Schmidt, TAFE SA
  • John Reminis, Bakehouse Delights
AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Australia’s Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Media contact
Keir Tunbridge
0409 991 817

WINNER: Tristan Dylan Beisler, 20
Barrington Bakery, Dungog
NEW SOUTH WALES

RUNNER UP: Lydia Horne, 20
Creative Crusts
QUEENSLAND

Trae Wawatai, 23
Goodman Fielder / Quality Bakers, Auckland
NEW ZEALAND

Jessiel Villahermosa, 23
Baker’s Delight, Halls Head
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Fraser Von Stieglitz, 19
Banjo’s Bakery, Devonport
TASMANIA

Hannah MacDonald, 22
Baker’s Delight, Stirling
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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