Two Craigieburn locals have baked their way to victory, with Dilsha Lakshani and Leslie Mirandilla nabbing first and second place respectively at the Kangan Institute’s gingerbread competition.
A panel of judges comprising industry and alumni evaluated14 gingerbread houses.
All students were asked to research and design their gingerbread house using skills and techniques they learnt in their baking course.
Ms Lakshani, who was crowned top baker, worked as a banker in Sri Lanka before she moved to Australia last year.
Now, she’s striving to become a cake decorator –and her recent win is the icing on the cake.
“I feel very happy because this is the first time I’ve won in the baking industry,” Ms Lakshani said.
“I love to bake, especially cake, and I like creative and colourful things.
“I enjoy working with fondant, that’s why I made a fondant Santa, snowmen and Christmas tree. It took around 20 hours.”
For Ms Mirandilla, receiving the first runner-up medal was a sweet surprise.
“I was not expecting to win,” she said.
“[Baking] comes from the heart. It [has been] my passion to bake, since I was a child. Starting from nine years old, I was already baking with my mum.”
According to Kangan Institute chief executive Sally Curtain, the competition was an opportunity for students to display their talents.
“We are incredibly proud of all our baking students who have stepped up to the challenge of testing and showcasing their skills in this creative competition.”
