The LYS Bakery Team proudly showcase their awards from this year’s ABST Conference
The young people, who are learners with the Professional Bakery Skills Course at the LYS Community Training Centre, joined their peers from across the United Kingdom and Ireland at the prestigious event.
Now in its hundredth year, the ABST Conference is an opportunity for baking students and trainees to network with possible employers while attending lectures and workshops with leading professionals in the baking industry.
The attendees also compete in live competitions that feature categories that showcase the diverse nature of baking from ingredients and design to the perfect loaf!
LYS was represented in several categories by learners who shone in the heat of competition. Among those who tasted success were learners Kiril Boiko and Vladyslav Sivits, who took the silver and bronze medals respectively in the Dead Dough Modelling Plaque.
There was bronze medal success for Keelin Fitzgerald in the Novices Award. This competition is only open to students and trainees who have not entered any previous bakery competitions.
Maksym & Ayesha, display their Lob the Cob titles
Meanwhile away from the stoves, LYS enjoyed a double success in the Lob the Cob event with Ayesha Jones and Maksym Lisiutin crowned World Champions in their respective categories.
The brainchild of Christopher Foxhall, a bakery lecture with University College Birmingham, Lob the Cob involves lobbing a 400g bread cob over your head using a baker’s peel -which resembles a wooden shovel. The winner the person who lobs the cob the furthest!’
‘What a weekend!’ were the words of LYS’ Paul O’Brien as he reflected on this year’s
‘The learners should be extremely proud of themselves as they represented their families, friends and LYS with pride,’ said Paul, LYS Baking Instructor.
‘They went above and beyond in preparing for this year’s competitions and deserve all the success they achieved,’ added a very proud Paul.
‘LYS has been attending the ABST for many years and each year the young people continue to improve and truly embrace the occasion,’ said Paul adding ‘it is a great opportunity to for trainee bakers to learn about the many opportunities available within the industry.’
It was a busy time for Paul at this year’s ABST Conference, as he was part of the judging panel, an experience slight nerve wrecking but thoroughly enjoyable saying with a smile, ‘I felt like a judge on the Great British Bake Off!’
LYS would like to congratulate the learners on their success and thank the staff and members of the ABST for their support.
Supported by Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board, the Bakery Skills Course is a FDQ accredited QQI Level 4 project that is based at LYS’ Community Training Centre, Lr. Glentworth St, Limerick.
The LYS Community Training Centre provide further education and training opportunities for young people with more information available at www.limerickyouthservice.com.
A member of Youth Work Ireland and the Irish Association of Community Training Organisations, LYS remains committed to connecting with young people and supporting them to reach their full potential.
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