Apprentice baker Anthony Barber has been named the South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) Apprentice of the Year.
For Anthony the cream has risen to the top, with this award just the latest in an impressive list of twenty-five state and national baking titles so far for the ambitious apprentice.
These include ‘Most Successful Apprentice Exhibitor' (Perth Royal Show, 2020), 'Most Successful Apprentice in combined Bread and Pastry' (Baking Industry Awards, 2021) and the silver medal for retail baking (WorldSkills WA, 2019). He was also part of the baking team who recently won the highly celebrated title of Australia’s best (red) meat gourmet pie (Great Aussie Pie Show, 2021).
Anthony said he enjoys challenging himself to enter competitions, which help gain confidence and improve his skills in all aspects of the trade.
“Awards and competitions are a great contribution to the industry, and I love the interaction with other bakers and seeing their interpretation of the same baked goods,” he said.
Anthony found similarities between his baking apprenticeship and his former TAFE studies in engineering, especially the science and process behind cooking, but his real passion for food is in its creativity.
“I love that I am able to express my creativity and ideas through the lens of food,” Anthony said.
“I particularly enjoy learning about and experimenting with the unique foods and cuisines of different cultures.”
Anthony hopes to use the skills, knowledge and experience he has gained over the course of his apprenticeship to open his own bakery.
SM TAFE’s Student Awards recognise the achievements of students from across the college, including winners in the categories Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, International Student of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year, VET Secondary Student of the Year, and the Culturally Diverse Student of the Year Award.