Queensland baker Imogen Fearon has been crowned the winner of Australasia’s most prestigious baking competition – the LA Judge Award for baking apprentice of the year.
Since 1967, the LA Judge Award has challenged young apprentice bakers from Australia and New Zealand in a fierce but friendly three-day competition.
Imogen, from Chouquette Patisserie in New Farm, was presented with the coveted LA Judge title at a gala ceremony in Sydney on Thursday, 9 May 2024, presented by AEGIC and Woolworths.
Imogen emerged victorious after three days of intense competition at the AEGIC Sydney Pilot Bakery between 7-9 May.
Thanks to baking and ingredients company Puratos, Imogen will enjoy an all-expenses-paid journey to Belgium. Over a week, Imogen will train with Puratos in bread and patisserie baking, and explore the Centre for Bread Flavour, the Sourdough Library and more.
Runner-up, Connor Beisler from Dungog Barrington Bakery in NSW, will receive $1500 cash, plus two days training with Puratos in Sydney, including accommodation.
The other contenders, Ryan Wu (Vic), Dylan Gianetti, (WA) and Dylan Price (Tas) will also receive Puratos training in Sydney.
LA Judge Award Director Dr Ken Quail congratulated all the 2024 LA Judge Award competitors.
“All the competitors are winners simply by participating in what is a friendly but very challenging competition,” he said.
“All the 2024 competitors did themselves, their trainers and their bakeries proud.
“Congratulations to Imogen, who was outstanding across the various aspects of competition. Imogen’s excellent skills and attention to detail gave her the edge over her fellow competitors.”
The LA Judge Award is organised and hosted by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) to support the Australian grain industry and identify future industry leaders.
Since 1967, the LA Judge Award has welcomed young apprentice bakers aspiring to make their mark on the industry. The contest encompasses all aspects of baking, from hands-on baking proficiency and technical acumen to presentation skills.
“The LA Judge Award is often a life-changing experience for young bakers to develop their skills and make important connections in the baking industry,” Dr Quail said.
Dr Quail said the LA Judge Award relies on the support of industry sponsors.
2024 sponsors: Puratos (Major sponsor and prize sponsor), Woolworths (Gala Dinner sponsor), Major Sponsors: Allied Pinnacle, Australian Bakels, Bakers Delight, Lesaffre Australia Pacific, The Manilda Group, MAURI, National Baking Industry Association (NBIA), plus ADM and Azelis.
2024 candidates:
- Connor Beisler, Dungog Barrington Bakery, NSW
- Ryan Wu, Eat Cannoli, Preston, VIC
- Dylan Price, Banjos, Launceston, TAS
- Imogen Fearon, Chouquette Patisserie, New Farm, QLD
- Dylan Gianetti, Coles, Southern River, WA.
Photo: 2024 LA Judge Award winner Imogen Fearon
Media contact
Keir Tunbridge
0409 991 817
AEGIC is an initiative of the Western Australian State Government and Grains Australia.
About the LA Judge Award for baking apprentice of the year
Supporting young bakers since 1967
Each year, one candidate from each Australian State and Territory, as well as New Zealand, may be nominated to compete through their state baking association. Candidates must be 25 years of age or younger (as of 1 January in the year of competition) and must not have completed their formal studies more than 24 months before the year of competition.
The competition takes place at AEGIC’s North Ryde Pilot Bakery, part of the former Bread Research Institute. The competitors are put through their paces in all aspects of baking, including practical baking exercises, technical knowledge, and communication skills. The candidates often find that the event is a life-changing experience and make important industry connections with industry leaders.
Background Information: Les Judge – an industry legend
Les Judge, an Australian baking industry icon, is the namesake of the prestigious LA Judge Award, established in 1967. Born in Inverell, New South Wales in 1904, Judge was a competitive baker and an effective communicator, renowned for his engagement with farmers and bakers to enhance the industry. Hailing from a family of farmers and bakers, he was involved with several bakeries both in urban and rural areas. His passion for the industry led him to take various initiatives on its behalf.
LA Judge is best remembered for persuading wheat growers to listen to the pleas of bakers and grow better quality baking wheat. He changed farmers’ attitudes not by rhetoric, but by going to them and baking bread. Judge’s legacy still lives on, and he is remembered as a pioneer of the baking industry.
For more information on the LA Judge Award go to <link to AEGIC website pages>
You can follow the LA Judge Award on Instagram and Facebook.
About AEGIC
The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is an independent organisation that helps position Australian grain as the preferred choice in international markets.
AEGIC does this by:
- Understanding the needs of grain customers.
- Identifying and supporting grain market opportunities.
- Educating customers on the benefits of Australian grain.
- Innovating to develop new solutions and high-value uses.
This helps the Australian grains industry breed, classify, grow and supply grain that markets prefer.
AEGIC’s primary beneficiaries are Australian grain growers, and the impact of AEGIC’s work spans the whole grains supply chain: from the grower in Australia, whose grain is valued internationally, to the consumer who enjoys excellent noodles, baked products and beer made from Australian grain.
