In June this year, Dion Ram, a trainee baker at Yarrows in Manaia won the title of Weston Milling Trainee of the Year and took home $19,000 in prizes. Half way through his reign as winner, Dion tells us what difference the win has made to his life.

Since winning the Trainee Baker of the Year competition …. I have gained the motivation to learn as much as I can and to also set goals for my future.

In entering the competition …. I had no expectations in winning at all. For me it wasn’t about winning the competition, it was really just to test myself and to have a bit of fun competing. Along the way I was able to meet some really neat people and gained some valuable skills that I think will assist me in the future also.

At the moment …. I am concentrating on finishing my apprenticeship with Yarrows and from there advancing my career to new levels.

My ultimate goals are …. to travel the world to experience different cultures and to learn a variety of skills within the industry. Then someday open my own bakery back here in New Zealand, where I can pass on the skills and knowledge to others that I have learned throughout my career.

In winning the competition …. it has given me the opportunity to see baking from a different aspect with tours coming up with Weston Milling. This will give me, I think an inside view of where it all begins in the industry, from the processing of the flour to the making of some really great products that Weston’s produce. I’m looking forward to these experiences and believe they will be beneficial to me in the future.

This competition is …. great for all people learning the trade. Making it through the different stages I was able to meet some high profile bakers and it put my own name out there also.

I would like to…. wish all the competitors the best for next year’s competition and would also like to thank Weston Milling for putting this competition together.