The Alliance for Bakery Students and Trainees’ (ABST) UK youth baking team has scooped a number of awards at the 12th Russian Bread Cup in Moscow.

Organised by The Russian Guild of Bakers and Confectioners, the competition on 26-27 April saw the team pick up a gold award in the Production Class for the most product made in weight.

The team consisted of team captain Nicole Haymes of the Chatsworth House Farm Shop, alongside Jaegar Andrew and Emily Harrison of Sheffield City College.

Nicole won a gold medal in the 3D Display Bread Class for her supermarket and bakery display piece, inspired by the government’s move to enforce a 20% ‘pasty tax’ on hot food products.

She said: “I am really pleased and shocked that we won. It was an amazing experience and a privilege to take part. I love working in a small bakery and, in the long term, I want to stay in that niche. But I have concerns that the government’s proposed tax could, in the future, cost jobs and risk putting some smaller bakeries out of business.”

Jaegar, who made two breads in total, was awarded gold for her Mediterranean-style bread with tomatoes, peppers and feta cheese in the Traditional and Healthy Bread Class. Her other creation was a five-grain healthy bread high in Omega 3.

Emily created three-colour croissants, with a chocolate and raspberry layer, which received silver in the Laminated Pastry and Yeasted Bun Class.

David Mizon, general secretary of the ABST, coached the UK finalists ahead of the competition. He told British Baker: “It has been a pleasure to mentor, manage and lead the team to the fantastic success achieved. The students have worked hard in the last two months, and have undoubtedly gained a great deal of knowledge and skills in the process, which will remain with them in their future careers.

“International competitions such as this one give an opportunity to showcase UK baking skills and professionalism, boost future employment opportunities, and publicise the profession, its craft and science to future students looking to enter the trade. The ABST continues to develop international links, which will benefit student and professional knowledge and skills transfer across the world, including Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia and Turkey.”

Sponsors of the ABST’s UK youth team included British Baker publisher William Reed Business Media, in addition to Train2bake.com, Lesaffre, Puratos, Marriage Mills, Delifrance UK and Ted Rich.

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