CVTC Student Takes First Step Toward Master Baker
Shelby Tuschl of Colfax first student in baking track of CVTC’s Culinary program
Eau Claire, WI - Chippewa Valley Technical College Culinary Management student Shelby Tuschl has taken the first step toward becoming a Master Baker by recently passing a test to become a Certified Journey Baker. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever earn the highest distinction for a baker, but she knows she wants to make a career out of being a baker.
“I’d like to work in the field and gain some more experience and maybe open my own place in a few years,” said Tuschl, a 2019 graduate of Colfax High School still living in the community.
CVTC’s Culinary Management program started in 2018 and has grown since then. Students now have the option of following the traditional culinary track or a track that specializes in baking. Tuschl became the first student to choose the latter option.
Bob Chaffee, CVTC’s Baking Arts instructor and a Master Baker himself, explained that to take the Certified Journey Baker test, Tuschl needed two years of experience in baking. Before enrolling at CVTC, Tuschl worked at a pizza business in Colfax, where she made the breads and crusts.
Chaffee noted that Tuschl did very well on the test, scoring 91 percent.
“I’m very proud of that,” Tuschl said. “The next step for her would be the Certified Baker test, which includes production components and requires four years of experience. The Master Baker test requires eight years of experience and takes two days to complete.
Right now, Tuschl’s thoughts are on her immediate future. “I was in the CVTC Liberal Arts program for one semester before starting Culinary Management,” she said. “I couldn’t see myself transferring to a bigger university. I like the hands-on aspects of CVTC, and in culinary, you never stop learning.
Tuschl continues to gain experience as a baker. She started work for a bakery in Augusta in October. She expects to graduate from CVTC in December.
With over 115 programs offered both online and on-campus, Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the community. CVTC programs are designed with input of business and industry to prepare graduates for today’s jobs, with 95 percent employed within six months of graduation and associate degree graduates earning an average annual salary of $47,452.
