Alva Odelbrink firar segern av SM Unga Bagare

Student from Astar Wins Swedish Junior Baking Championship

Alva Odelbrink, a student from Astar Tomteboda in Solna, has won the Swedish Junior Baking Championship (SM Unga Bagare). – It feels surreal to have won the SM. I have trained so hard, and I’m thrilled that all the time I invested has paid off in the end, she says.

After five intense hours of competition, 23-year-old Alva Odelbrink was crowned the Swedish Junior Baking Champion for 2024. She impressed the judges with her theme, which included a spectacular bread sculpture representing Stockholm’s subway system. Her flavorful success concept combined with great craftsmanship won the jury over. The competition took place at Ester Mosessons Gymnasium in Gothenburg on March 13.

During the final, seven finalists from across the country demonstrated their skills. Over five hours, the young talents baked delicious and imaginative bread, rolls, pastries, and a beautiful bread sculpture. All items were made from scratch and were judged based on craftsmanship, technique, creativity, flavor precision, and innovation. The finalists showcased a variety of creative themes inspired by works such as “A Night in Venice” and Astrid Lindgren’s fairy-tale world, with sweet breads flavored with sea buckthorn, tonka bean, hazelnut, and rosemary, alongside savory breads with smoked sausage, fennel, and browned butter.

From Subway Stations to Sweet Success

According to the jury, Alva Odelbrink demonstrated exceptional skill and attention to detail. Her depiction of a rushing train through one of the city’s subway entrances, complete with graffiti and the characteristic painted leaf vines of Kungsträdgården station, was particularly noted. The accompanying baked goods also reflected the theme, with recognizable elements like the classic T-symbol, the SL logo, and the sprawling map marking the red, green, and blue lines through the capital. The crowning touch was a bread creation in the form of a classic hot dog – with smoked sausage and mustard cream.

– Winning feels absolutely amazing! I’m happy that the judges liked my theme as much as I did. Sweden is known for its subway and its art, and it was fun to interpret it this way. I feel proud and pleased with what I have accomplished today. I’m most satisfied with the bread sculpture and the hot dog – they turned out exactly as I wanted, says Alva Odelbrink.

Alva Odelbrink under tävlingen SM Unga Bagare

Alva was born and raised in Solna, works at Spånga Konditori, and is also part of the junior national baking team.

– I’ve always enjoyed baking. My friends and I used to bake muffins and cookies after school when we were kids. I got hooked because it’s a craft and a very creative profession where you never stop evolving, says Alva Odelbrink.

After high school, she wanted to train as a pastry chef and baker. She applied to Astar and was accepted.

– I think my education was great; I got an excellent internship, where I learned all the basics, a lot of practice, and various methods and techniques for both baking and patisserie, says Alva Odelbrink.

Jury’s Motivation:

“This year’s winner has, through a masterful execution where the city’s pulse and depth have been transformed into baking art, taken us on a journey where each stop is a taste of excellence. With a playful spectrum of color and form, she has not only demonstrated technical skill but a unique ability to convey her story. The journey we are taken on is both elegant and full of innovation, showcasing a creator who masters her craft and the art of transporting her audience to new worlds.”

– The competitors show great passion for baking. The winner demonstrated an extraordinary knowledge of the craft. I am proud to have a new, strong ambassador for the profession. The impressive bread sculpture was the highlight of the competition, but Alva excelled and pushed flavor, innovation, and creativity to the limit in all categories, says Martin Lundell, CEO of Sveriges Bagare Konditorer.

The SM Unga Bagare is organized by the trade association Sveriges Bagare Konditorer to highlight young and ambitious talents in the baking profession.

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