New Zealand’s Young Baker of the Year 2010

The “Young Bread Baker of the Year” is an award presented annually by the NZ Association of Bakers for the best newly qualified bread baker in New Zealand.

The 2010 competition will be held in Auckland during March of that year and the Association of Bakers are inviting nominations for the award competition using the nomination form. It is important that the form is completed as fully as possible, attaching copies of all relevant academic and trade examination results. Completed forms should be sent to the address indicated on the form by 27 November 2009.

Download Nomination form 2010 (31 KB PDF)

The winner of the award will be presented with a cup and a research grant up to the value of $10,000 for research such as overseas travel to look at new technology, ingredients, process or trends in products.

The winner may also be asked to represent New Zealand at the LA Judge Award competition which will be held in Sydney in May 2010, if appropriate.

Criteria for participation in the Young Baker of the Year competition is as follows:

• As a minimum – level 3 NZQA Qualification in a Baking discipline (certificates to be provided) that must be completed within 5 years from commencing training. (Note that it is our intention to make this a level 4 minimum once the in-store bakery qualification at this level is available);
• No age restriction;
• Candidates must be no more than 2 years from completion of their most recent NZQA Qualification;
• Previous winners of the award may not enter in subsequent years;
• The NZAB reserves the right to utilise pre-selection should candidate numbers be greater than the testing facilities can handle.

Candidates participating in the 2 day competition will be expected to demonstrate the following skills:

1. an ability to professionally introduce themselves to the judges

2. an ability to deliver a high quality, well researched 10 to 15 minute presentation on a topic supplied a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the competition commencing

3. an excellent knowledge of baking theory with particular focus on bread baking and general bakery science

4. an ability to produce a range of products including lidded breads, hand moulded breads and small goods in a test bakery environment

5. an ability to calculate bakery percentages and product costings

Candidates will be expected to be in Auckland by 10am on the first day of competition and will be finished by 3pm on the second day.

All candidates will be expected to attend a casual meal on the evening of the first day of competition so they can interact with other candidates and the judges.

A programme will be sent out once applications close and details on meal venue and accommodation options will be supplied closer to the date.

Please contact the Association’s Executive Officer, Marcia Dunnett if you have any queries about the competition (04) 4966555.

Download Nomination form 2010 (31 KB PDF)