Seven golds and podium places - Bakery students at national competition

Bakery students from Birmingham College of Food proved they had bags of flour power when they scooped a whopping 18 awards at a national competition. 

There was a rollercoaster of emotions as competitors from around the UK took part in the 2023 Alliance for Bakery Students and Trainees (ABST) competition at Alton Towers, including 43 entrants from University College Birmingham. 

They had practised for two weeks leading up to the competition, which included categories for cakes, bread, biscuits, pastries, sugar craft, live competitions and cake decorating.  

And the hard work paid off with a trophy haul that saw seven gold medals, three silver and four bronze in addition to a Highly Commended, Best in Show and Best in Category coming back to Birmingham. 

“We as a bakery team are incredibly proud of our students,” said bakery lecturer Jessica Dalton.  

“Each student spoke to the judges to take away valuable feedback and advice to improve in the future.” 

Special mention goes to Abbie Childs, who won best loaf of the day, the Masters Award and Horton Trophy with her 800g White Oven Bottom Loaf. 

Other gold awards came courtesy of Zain Arthur (Bakery Trainee Challenge Trophy for traditional artisan French baguettes and all butter croissants), Holly Jenkinson, Emily Alltree, Hannah Grace Edwards, David Grey (Founders Cup team award) and Hannah Grace Edwards (palmiers). 

Other golds went to Maryann Thurgood (Harvester Cup and Harvester rolls), Thomas Simpson (The British Society of Baking Trophy for 800g White Coburg loaf and Fruit Loaf Challenge) and Joseph Allen (The Mandy Wansell Trophy for Danish pastries). 

Further medals went to Joseph Allen, Jessica Tennant, Gracie Miller, Courtney Bravington, Niamh Burke-Tomlinson, Joel Chadwick, Fraja Hartley, Fardeen Hayat and Ella Stewart. 

However, Jessica Dalton said ABST wasn’t just about awards: “Our students networked with the industry, building relationships which could lead to job or work experience opportunities. We cannot wait to attend again next year." 

Find out more about our bakery college courses and Bakery and Patisserie Technology BSc / FdSc (Hons) degree, as well as other courses within our acclaimed Birmingham College of Food.