Sweet success for Kangan Institute’s bakers

Kangan Institute has been recognised as a top training provider for baking, with the TAFE awarded the Victorian Perpetual Training Trophy at the 2022 Victorian Baking Show held in February.

The event also saw Kangan Institute baking student Abeer Al Sahwi take out second place in the gateau category.

Kangan Institute Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain said the dual award wins reflected the creativity and passion of teachers and students.

“Kangan Institute is incredibly honoured to be recognised at the Victorian Baking Show; the award is testament to the fact that our educators have more than just skills in the craft, they are incredibly passionate about guiding and supporting our students to achieve success in the trade,” said Ms Curtain.

“I’d also like to congratulate all our students who have risen to the challenge and demonstrated their talent amidst other student and industry competitors.

“In particular, congratulations to our baking student Abeer for her award-winning gateau, which is an absolute reflection of her creativity and skills.”

Award winning baking student Abeer Al-Sahwi

The award win was icing on the cake for Ms Al Sahwi, of Fawkner, who enrolled in Kangan Institute’s baking program to launch her own baking business. The mother-of-four fled Syria four years ago to start a new life in Australia.

“I feel so happy (to win the award). I am so proud of myself and of what I have achieved so far,” said Ms Al Sahwi.

“I used to be a teller at a commercial bank in Syria. At that time there was a war, which was the reason we had to leave Syria for safety and for the future of my kids.

“I love baking and a friend told me about the course and how helpful it was; that’s what pushed me to enrol and develop my baking skills. Studying at Kangan helped me learn new recipes. I improved my English language and I made amazing new friends.”

Ms Al Sahwi said the cake was inspired by summer.

“My cake was inspired by the summer season – its colours and its fruits. I loved combining sourness and sweetness, and adding the bitter taste from the dark chocolate into it.

“I was mostly proud of the cake design that I came up with as it was my very first time creating a cake design.”

Gateau made by award winning baking student Abeer Al-Sahwi

Organised by the Baking Association of Australia, the annual Victorian Baking Show involved industry and student competitors in a bake-off across 30 categories. Twelve students from Kangan Institute participated.

Kangan Institute’s baking courses are delivered at the Broadmeadows campus. To learn more about the baking courses visit Kangan Institute’s website.