The Rutherford man has just returned from Paris, where he represented Australia at the prestigious Masters de la Boulangerie, taking out third place.

Mr Tilden left school at 16 to pursue his baking career at Tenambit bakery. Now, almost three decades later, he is clearly among the world’s best at his craft.

“It’s a challenge every day when you make bread,” he said.

“There are different flours, different ingredients, different temperatures – all of that plays a part in how we get a final loaf.”

Now that he’s had his time in the sun, Mr Tilden is eager to share his skills with the next generation.

“I can no longer compete; once you reach the title of master baker that’s it,” he said.

“What I really want is to be a part of the coaching team of the next Australian team because there’s no point in me getting these skills and not passing it on.”

Mr Tilden has travelled around the world for baking competitions and wants to encourage young people of the Hunter to pursue their passion through a trade.

“One of the messages I want to get across is that it’s okay to be a tradesperson," he said.

“We have this idea in society at the moment that you must do university.

“My brain wasn’t cut out for doing university, and, becoming a tradesperson has taken me all around the world.”

The champion’s latest win has sparked additional interest in his TAFE students.

“I want to let them know that they can achieve the same thing,” he said.

“You can go anywhere in the world and you’ll find a job as a bread baker – there’s always opportunity for that.

“We do have our competitions for the qualified and it’s important that they can have that.

“But look at me. I left school at 16 and just represented on the world stage.”