Johnson & Wales University (JWU) has announced that at just 28 years old, Austin Scoles, faculty member in the College of Food Innovation and Technology, is the youngest chef to receive the title of Certified Master Baker from the Retail Bakers of America (RBA). As of 2019, there were fewer than 200 Certified Master Bakers in the United States.

The title did not come easily to Scoles with his journey to certification beginning more than six months ago. Preparation required Scoles to fine tune his recipes, practicing weekly with his students and colleagues. The result, high marks on the 200-question written exam and passing of the two-day intensive practical test covering a wide variety of pastries and baked goods.

“This was a personal challenge, but I knew it would make me a better educator and chef. I involved my students to show them that growth comes from pushing beyond comfort zones. My goal is to inspire them to take risks, challenge themselves, and achieve great things—and I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way,” says Scoles.

“Austin’s achievement as a Certified Master Baker is a testament to his skill and dedication. We’re fortunate to have him on our faculty—his passion and expertise inspire both students and colleagues, and his energy in the kitchen is truly contagious,” says Richard Mathieu, Ph.D. president, Charlotte Campus, Johnson & Wales University.

In April, Scoles will graduate with a master’s degree in hospitality administration from Johnson & Wales. The next goal for the JWU graduate in Food Service Management, Certified Executive Pastry Chef and winner of Disney’s Foodtastic is to earn the prestigious Certified Master Pastry Chef designation—an achievement that requires years of training and dedication.