GrainGrowers held the annual LA Judge Competition in Sydney recently, with the 2012 study tour now bound for Europe.

Each year, the prestigious LA Judge Award recognises and encourages excellence in the baking industry by focusing on apprentice bakers and developing their individual skills.

The winner of the 2012 LA Judge Award was John Leontiades, 22, from Louttit Bay Bakery in Lorne, Victoria. John received an overseas study tour valued at $3500.

The 2012 Study Tour, hosted by GrainGrowers and led by bakery consultant Morten Staer, will be held in September and include visits to various destinations, including:

• IBA, Munich Germany;
• LeSaffre Baking Centre in Lille, France;
• Puratos Baking Centre in Brussels;
• Novozymes in Copenhagen; plus
• other bakeries of interest along the way.

As part of the 2012 Study Tour, John and Morten will also meet with Ashley Troth, winner of the 2010 LA Judge Award, in Munich.

GrainGrowers would like to acknowledge the generous support of its 2012 LA Judge Award sponsors, including:

Dinner sponsor: LeSaffre Australia Pacific;

Major sponsors: CW Pacific, Kerry Pinnacle, Manildra Group, Tip Top and GrainGrowers Limited; and

Supporting sponsors: Australian Bakels, Bakers Delight and the Baking Associations of Australia.

For more information on the upcoming study tour or to register your interest as a sponsor for the 2013 competition, contact Morten Staer at GrainGrowers.