Crafting culture in the oven

The students at Renmin University of China's Suzhou Campus were in for a treat — not just a taste of fresh bread but the chance to learn from a world-class baker.

On Nov 17, Li Junfei, the 22-year-old winner of the baking event at the 47th World Skills Competition, held a special baking class for 30 students from China, France, Pakistan, the United States, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

Li, currently a student at Wuzhong Technician Institute in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, shared not only his baking expertise but also his inspiring story of perseverance and growth.

Despite his international recognition, Li has only five years of baking experience. In 2018, after dropping out of high school, he started working as an apprentice at a local bakery to gain practical skills.

Within six months, he progressed from kneading dough to producing an entire loaf of bread on his own.

For Li, the appeal of baking lies in its challenges.

"Each baking process is unique," he said. "The actions might be the same, but factors like temperature, humidity, and the type of flour make a big difference. For example, yeast reacts differently at varying temperatures."

By 2022, Li had worked at several bakeries. He was inspired when he heard about a Chinese baker winning a world baking contest — an unusual achievement he likened to a foreigner winning a dumpling contest in China.

This motivated him to apply to Wuzhong Technician Institute — the alma mater of the world champion.