Staff Spotlight - Stephen Pinnuck
From apprentice baker to international industry leader
From apprentice baker to international industry leader
For Stephen Pinnuck, teaching isn't about standing at the front of a classroom, it's about helping apprentices build the confidence, skills and pride to succeed in an industry he's dedicated more than 40 years to.
Stephen's journey began in 1985 when he left school after Year 11 to start an apprenticeship with Daily Bread.
"I'd love to say I had an early passion for baking, but the truth is school just wasn't for me," Stephen says. "Baking gave me structure, purpose and a hands-on way to learn."
What started as an apprenticeship for Stephen, soon became a lifelong career. Over the years, he has worked across retail, supermarket and plant bakeries, building a wealth of industry experience before discovering a passion for teaching.
"I've always enjoyed helping people achieve their goals. Coaching and teaching have always been passions of mine, so when a role became available at GOTAFE, it felt like a natural progression."
Today, Stephen brings decades of real-world experience into every class, helping students develop the practical skills, confidence and attention to detail needed to succeed. Inspired by the mentor who guided him through his own apprenticeship, he now strives to provide that same support, encouragement and leadership to every student he teaches.
Stephen's expertise has also seen him judge prestigious competitions, including the Great Aussie Pie Competition and the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) in Las Vegas. But despite these achievements, he says the greatest reward is seeing apprentices grow into skilled professionals.
His advice to every aspiring baker is simple:
"At the end of your shift, go out to the shopfront and look at what you've produced. Ask yourself, 'Is that the best product I can make?' Always strive for quality, teamwork and leadership."
For Stephen, teaching is about more than passing on technical skills, it's about inspiring the next generation to take pride in their craft and helping keep Australia's baking industry thriving.
