Harris was one of the two apprentices from Beechworth Bakery who took part in the Baking Association of Australia competition with Jamie Hore also featuring.
The apprentices were required to engage in a gruelling five-hour bake off where they had to produce their nominated products before displaying them in a buffet presentation.
The competition tested the apprentices’ skills and knowledge, as well as their nerves with the judges watching over the event to assess cleanliness of the workspace and the way they conducted themselves while preparing the baked goods.
The final stage of the competition was the all-important taste test.
“It was satisfying to take out the win, it felt pretty good,” Harris said.
“There was a little bit of pressure towards the end to get everything done but it all came good in the end.”
Harris has a year remaining in a four-year apprenticeship at GO TAFE, a path he opted for after humble beginnings.
“I started working (at Beechworth Bakery) after school and one thing led to another, I worked out the back a bit and the I signed up for the apprenticeship.
The young baker clearly knows his sourdough from his baguette but said ciabatta was his signature baked good.
“I would say ciabatta is my personal favourite,” he said.
“That’s because I like eating it and it’s also something different to make from usual bread.”
Harris will now go head-to-head with Australia’s best apprentice bakers in the national round to be held at the Baking Industry Trade Show in Melbourne from May 26 to 28.
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