Community & Business
1 December, 2022
Win as sweet as pie
LOCAL baker Hector Escriva loves everything about breads and cakes and his passion for the craft was recently recognised at the 2022 Baking Industry Training Australia Apprentice Awards.
The Curcio’s Bakery apprentice took home second place in the Certificate III in Baking Second Year Apprentice of the Year.
He was nominated for the award by his teacher and was shocked to hear that he had placed as a finalist.
“My teacher came and told me I was a finalist, and he came and watched me make the breads and cakes (and sent them to the judges),” he said.
“It was really good to get the award because I went up there like ‘yeah, I am one of the finalists’, but I didn’t think they would call my name but when they called my name I was like ‘what!’
“I was so happy in that moment.”
Hector has been working at Curcio’s Bakery in Mareeba since the beginning of his apprenticeship, and is passionate about baking, especially cakes.
He never thought he would find himself in the industry, originally travelling to Australia from Spain to work on the farms.
After a while, he realised farm work was not his cup of tea and decided to take a leap of faith and take up an apprenticeship with Curcio’s Bakery.
Since starting in the job, he has found his favourite part is the ability to try new things and get creative to make the perfect sweet treats for the community to enjoy.
“Decorating the cakes is the best bit because you can create whatever you want on the cakes,” he said.
“I try and decorate all the cakes to make them look good.”
Manager and owner of Curcio’s Bakery, Quinto Curcio, couldn’t be prouder of Hector and his award and says he expects he will go a long way in the industry.
He was a deserving recipient of the award and congratulated him on his efforts.
“He has done very well with everything, from pastries to cakes and bread and he is a very quick and good learner,” he said.
“It wasn’t a surprise (he won an award) because I knew he would do well, and it was a big bonus for him getting this one.
“He has always been very motivated and is always keen to learn new stuff and I can see him becoming a manager or supervisor and doing really well – I would say he is my favourite apprentice.”
