Weston Milling’s Trainee of the Year Competition was once again a huge success. This year being at the Fine Food Show New Zealand, we attracted a great crowd on both days, with people there to support all our Trainees and see what the industry has to offer.
Day one saw Phil Burton-French, Jason Hay and Nicole Oldridge compete in the first final, then Dan Burt, Dion Ram and Melly Melly bake off in the second final. There was a great range of products, all with a different flair from each competitor.
Day two saw Taura Griffiths, Nana Rouru and Mazulu Ndhlovu bring there best to the table in the third final.
The calibre that was present during all 3 finals, just re-enforced why these trainees were in the Top 9.
Dion Ram ultimately took out the title for 2010, congratulations to Dion and all of our Top 9 for the work they produced.
First – Dion Ram, Yarrows, Manaia, Taranaki
Second – Jason Hay, Richoux Patisserie, Auckland
Third – Melly Melly, Gusto Café, Whangaparaoa
On the Monday afternoon we had the first ever Weston Milling Celeb Baker of the Year, Alison Mau, Jay Jay Feeney, Dan Buckley and Steve Dunstan competed to win the title. Each team had a professional baker to help them out, Robert Burns, Sean Armstrong and Mandy Smith, the brief was to decorate a child’s birthday cake, with the tools and decorates they had been supplied.
With challenges along the way which included a cupcake eating contest which Sean from Loaf won, by downing a cupcake in one bite. A self portrait contest which was won by Dan and Steve the Huffer team, with great replications of themselves.
In the end it was a four tier pink heart that Alison Mau and Robert Burns created that took out the win.
The crowd loved seeing these celebs create something in front of them, and getting their hands (and faces) dirty.
Alison Mau
Dan Buckley
Steve Dunstan
Jay Jay Feeney
Weston Milling would like to give a big thanks to their supporters, the BIANZ for all their help with everything, Southern Hospitality and Moffat for the equipment and Golden Bridge Marketing Ltd who provided us with all the decorates for the Celeb Bake Off.
