The LA Judge Award recognises the best apprentice in Australasia under 23-years.

The prestigious annual event will be held on May 23, 2013 at the GrainGrower’s in-house facilities in New South Wales, and will be attended by more than one hundred guests from around Australia and New Zealand.

Grain Growers bakery consultant and head judge Morten Staer said the young bakers’ skills will be evaluated on a wide range of skills during three days of competition.

“There are three categories of criteria. Practical counts for 50 per cent, theory for 30 per cent and presentation skills, including public speaking for 20 per cent,” he said.

“The practical component includes multiple sessions in the bakery. Theory includes eight written tests on topics such as production planning, bread faults, wheat technology, costing and flour milling.

“So if you think you’re coming for a holiday, think again!”

Candidates must not have completed their formal studies more than 12 months prior to January 1, on the year of competition and are not allowed to compete on more than one occasion.

The awards have been a major part of the Australasian baking industry since 1967, when the National Bakery Apprentice Award was established. The awards’ namesake Les Judge was active in the industry and is remembered for persuading wheat growers to listen to the pleas of bakers and grow better quality baking wheat.

“Many facets of the industry come together to make this event happen every year, from the small family-owned bakeries, TAFEs, industry associations, volunteers and sponsors, which this year include CW Pacific and Bakels,” Morten said.

Organisers for this year’s LA Judge Award are still accepting sponsors and encourage any individual or party with interest in supporting the event to contact Grain Growers.