Third-year apprentice Alex Ivanoff has been crowned the best bread baking apprentice in Australasia after taking out the LA Judge Award, while John Reminis Jnr starred at the TAFE Illawarra awards, named the apprentice of the year across the culinary schools, and then won apprentice of year across all trades.

It was a history making effort by Alex, following John Jnr, who took out the same award last year.

It is the first time in the 47-year history of the LA Judge award it had been won twice by the same bakery, let alone twice in a row.

Alex faced stiff competition from fellow apprentices from around the country over three days of intense testing.

The competition included public speaking, presenting a development strategy for a product, eight theory exams on knowledge of the industry and a number of practical exercises, which test such things as creativity, time management, encompassing all the apprentices’ skills.

“It was pretty full-on, covering all aspects of the trade and to win the overall award was just fantastic,” Alex said.

In one of the closest fields in the competition’s history, Alex was awarded a travel scholarship worth $7000.

Likewise John Jnr, who has almost completed his apprenticeship, was delighted with his success.

“The apprentice of the year across the culinary schools took into account all my work over the past year and that put me up against the top apprentices from all trades,” he said.

“To also take out the overall apprentice of the year was incredible.”

His next assignment is to compete in the World Skills championships in Perth in September, where he will attempt to better his silver medal from two years ago.

The pair also have plans to undertake a European trip next year where they will work and study, expanding their knowledge and skills.

Bakehouse Delights owner John Reminis was proud of his apprentices’ performances.

“Alex and John both work hard and the awards are certainly reward for their efforts,” he said.

“It’s great to have such a good team. They all nurture and push each other. They are all great kids, humble and they work hard.”