Wellington Heights high student wins big at Conestoga College baking competition

He might not remember learning how to walk, but Brodie Oliver certainly remembers learning how to bake.

On Oct. 24th, the 17-year-old Wellington Heights high school student won the baking category at the first ever Conestoga College School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts culinary and baking high school competition.

Oliver, who lives just outside of Holstein, was one of four high students to be awarded a full year’s tuition at the college valued at approximately $4,500.

"I was baking with my grandma ever since I could walk. Me and my grandma would bake things for Christmas and other holidays for everybody," Oliver said.

"She taught me everything, how to measure, how to use the beaters, and all of the equipment. We would bake brownies and an orange cake with cream cheese icing. And we also made a lot of cookies too."

Not sure what path to pursue after high school, the grade 12 student reached out to his guidance councillor.

"I told her that I used to bake with my grandma. That's when she mentioned that there's a dual credit program in Waterloo at Conestoga College where I could go to college and bake, one day a week," Oliver said.

"So, I said, sign me up."

Soon after, Oliver found himself demonstrating all of the skills his grandmother had taught him.

"I was was in this competition. I was put with a random partner, and that's how it all happened," Oliver said.

Showcasing the talent of local high school students, the event offers an opportunity for teens to show off their culinary skills and compete for the grand prize.

Student teams competed from high schools throughout the region, six in the culinary category and five in baking, allowing for two winners in each section.

Baking students baked bread and a variety of petit fours, a small French dessert, known for its complexity and uniform presentation. Each dish was judged on taste, technique, cleanliness and teamwork.

"We baked mini lemon glazed pound cakes. I had never made those before. That was the first time. There were eight teams of two with 16 competitors all together," Oliver said.

"We actually made four different things including chocolate and pecan scones and lemon sugar cookies with apricot jam."

Oliver, along with his partner, Bridgit Kleinboeck, from Guelph, were thrilled to win the baking category.

Every student participating was presented with a knife set from Canada Cutlery, Conestoga’s cutlery supplier and event sponsor. SmartServe also sponsored the competition.

"I just enjoyed being able to bake and to do what I love. But it was very challenging having to partner with someone I don't know and work together. I loved that part of the challenge though. We just went at it for three hours. That's all the time we had," Oliver said.

And to his surprise, he realized they had won.

"We were sitting at the table waiting for them to announce the winners. I wasn't exactly expecting for them to say my name. I was getting ready to congratulate who won, and then they said me and my partner's name. My jaw just dropped. I almost cried. It was just crazy."

The competition offered many opportunities to reach out to potential bakers and chefs, something Oliver says he now hopes to pursue.

"With the free tuition, I will be taking Baking and Pastry Arts Management. I plan to do this program for the year. I will then go back for the second advanced year, and then I hope to eventually open up my own bakery," Oliver said.

Competition wards were presented at Conestoga’s student-run restaurant, Bloom, which recently won the 2024 Green Leadership Award from Kostuch Media Ltd., publisher of Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier magazines.

Oliver is grateful for all the support he has received from family and friends, and especially from his grandmother.

"My grandma is so proud. I'm so thankful to her, my family, my girlfriend and everybody that has supported me and helped me get to where I am now," Oliver said.

"While baking, I will always think back to the days when I was standing on a chair trying to reach the counter, and my grandma would be there, teaching me how to bake."