The future is full of possibilities for aspiring cake and pastry chef, Mikayla Brightling.
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Ms Brightling, 21, who first started baking with her grandmother at a young age will be recieving four awards at the prestigious TAFE Illawarra’s Annual Awards after completing her apprenticeship at Delaney’s Cakes, Wollongong.
The Annual Awards recognises TAFE Illawarra’s students and staff for their exceptional achievements and contributions to both their industries and the wider community.
Ms Brightling’s awards include the Culinary and Service Skills Student Award, TAFE NSW Morgan Clementson Prize for Bakery, Apprentice of the Year and the esteemed Student of the Year Award.
The occasion is the biggest awards event for the TAFE and will attract over 200 guests. This years event also marks the first time that the TAFE NSW Ambassador Awards will be presented.
“It is a massive achievement. I was surprised to be getting just one award”, Ms Brightling said.
Joining Ms Brightling at the event is mentor and NSW TAFE Ambassador, Morgan Clementson, who was fresh off the plane from Belgium.
“It is incredibly special that I am receiving an award in Morgan’s name”, expressed Ms Brightling. “I think it’s special for her as well”.
Ms Clementson who first started baking at the age of 27 with TAFE Ilawarra has since gone on to achieve international success, currently working as the International Technical Adviser for Bakery at Puratos in Brussels, Belgium.
“I definitely see a little bit of myself in Mikayla. We share the same teachers, guidance and mentality. We definitely go out there and strive to make a name for ourselves”, she laughs.
Ms Brightling has since been offered the opportunity to undertake an internship with Ms Clementson abroad in Belgium.
The two week internship will see Ms Brightling trained by Stéphane Leroux and some of the other best chocolate makers around the world, offering invaluable experience.
“I will be continuing to follow Mikayla in her career” said Ms Clementson.
Ms Brightling is still unsure as to whether or not she would prefer to work overseas or stay local explaining that she is just taking everything as it comes, though she is excited to see where she will end up.
“Through travelling and seeing what is out there you begin to understand the calibre of success that you can achieve from a TAFE certificate. It is really up to you with where you go” Ms Clementson explains.
“There is still so much out there for the both of us”.
