Business Franchise Australia

Brumby’s Product Specialist Crowned Champion Baker

Brad Harvey.jpgBrumby’s Bakery’s very own master baker and skilled Product Specialist, Brad Harvey, walked away with top honours at the Baking Association of Australia’s (BAA) Queensland Baking Show, where his heavenly loaves earned him the coveted ‘2017 Champion Loaf’ title.

All loaves entered into the show were judged on appearance, taste, aroma, weight and texture and Brad rose to the occasion by mixing, kneading and baking his way into the top three spots in all five of the categories entered, culminating in him receiving the top honours. 

Brad’s incredible skills have been honed over 23 years in the baking industry, with the majority of it spent with Brumby’s Bakery. He started out in 1995 with a four-year bakery and pastry apprenticeship with the brand, went on to become head baker and later owned and operated his very own Brumby’s Bakery store.

Over the years, Brad has had a hand in training many apprentices including Donna Elton, a fellow talented and innovative Product Developer for Brumby’s Bakery. His in-depth knowledge, expert skills and infallible passion for his craft didn’t go unnoticed by Retail Food Group (RFG), master franchisor behind Brumby’s Bakery. In 2016, Brad was offered the position of Product Specialist at RFG’s Training Academy to train up new franchisees.

“RFG offered me a great opportunity as a Product Specialist and trainer for Brumby’s and I’ve loved every minute of teaching the art of baking beautiful bread to new franchise partners,” Brad said. “In a way, I’m giving back to the brand that has given me so much over the past 23 years. I have been in the baking industry for a long time and there’s no doubt that people’s habits have changed, but what really amazes me to this day, is that Brumby’s still produce the majority of their products from scratch for families all over Australia.”

Managing Director of RFG, Andre Nell, congratulated Brad on his wonderful achievement.

“We are very proud of Brad’s exceptional results achieved at the Queensland Baking Show recently. Achievements of this nature are testament to the capability and passion of our exceptional team,” he said.

Next up for Brad is the 2018 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show where he will take part in the Professional Bakery Category and then he will head to Toowoomba where he will be competing in the Bread Category at the 2018 Toowoomba Royal Show.