Emma Pritchard
When Lestatt Hammond-Hurst returned from the WorldSkills Australia 2023 National Championships in Melbourne with a silver medal around his neck last week, all he wanted to do was get back in the kitchen and continue doing what he loves the most, baking.
Speaking humbly as he shared his experience in the competition with the Clarence Valley Independent, the ambitious 18-year-old from Glenreagh, who is quickly becoming renowned throughout the region for his delicious and delectable assortment of baked goods, said hearing his name called out as the final placings were announced in the baking category was like taking all the weight and stress of the world off his shoulders.
Competing alongside some of the best bakers from across the country, Mr Hammond-Hurst said he was excited just to take his place in the competition, and said he was always determined to give it his best.
“It was an experience to remember,” he said, adding he loved seeing the variety of creations presented for judging by his fellow competitors.
“I would definitely do it all again.”
A celebration of excellence which showcases vocational education and training, the WorldSkills Australia 2023 National Championships also presents participants with the opportunity to compete in the International Final to be held in France in 2024.
While Mr Hammond-Hurst is yet to have his place in the final confirmed after winning the silver medal and impressing the judges with his baking techniques, precision, and knowledge of ingredients, his employer and mentor Brooke Stephen from the Glenreagh Bakery said the talented teenager deserves to have the chance to demonstrate his skills in front of a global audience.
“The best thing about Lestatt is how much the town of Glenreagh has supported him during his training leading up to this event,” she recalled.
“He puts a lot of time and effort into everything he does, and we’re all so proud of him.
“He’s also very humble, and that was something lots of people, including the judges, were complimenting him for during the competition.
“I feel really proud, and we all feel very lucky to have him as part of the team at Glenreagh Bakery.”