From TAFE student to pie master

Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Training, Skills and Higher Education, Gayle Tierney, and Chan and Ryan from Country Cob Bakery. (Supplied) 219453_01

By Jessica Micallef

By Jessica Micallef

A Kyneton pie master has credited his culinary success to the skills he learned at TAFE.

Chan Khun co-owns the Country Cob Bakery in Kyneton with his brother Ryan Khun.

The brothers are no strangers to success – they have won Australia’s Best Pie for three years in a row at the Baking Association of Australia , Australia’s Best Pie Awards, and they have claimed more than 200 medals for their pies and pastries.

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas and the Minster for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney visited Country Cob Bakery last month to congratulate the pair. They said the Khun brothers were also a success story for Victorian TAFE.

Chan came to Australia from Cambodia in 2004.

He enrolled in and completed a certificate III in patisserie at Holmesglen Institute in Moorabbin before studying hospitality management.

He and Ryan opened Country Cob Bakery in Kyneton in 2016. They also have a store in Boronia.

Chan said he credited his success to the culinary, professional communication and leadership skills, he learnt while completing the TAFE course.

Ms Thomas said the certificate III in patisserie was one of many courses available in cooking and hospitality across the state.

“Country Cob Bakery’s pies and pastries are not only delicious but their success is helping create and grow job opportunities for more Victorians,” she said.

Ms Tierney said the success of the Kyneton bakery was one of the many ways Victorian TAFEs were creating jobs and careers.

“The Country Cob Bakery is a shining example of how TAFEs are equipping Victorians with the skills they need to follow their dream career,” she said.