Bao Jiaqian presents her culinary creations at the 53rd UIBC International Young Bakers Competition. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]

A determined baking student from Zhejiang Commercial Technician Institute, called Bao Jiaqian, led China to victory at the recent 53rd UIBC International Young Bakers Competition in Brazil.

Bao picked up much of what she knows today at the institute, located in Ningbo city, in East China's Zhejiang province.

Triumphing in the event in Sao Paulo, the biggest city by population in Brazil, her performance was said to showcase her skills and resilience on the international stage.

The competition gathered young baking wizzes from nine countries, including France, Spain and China.

Bao, representing her school in Ningbo, teamed up with Chen Jiaxuan to compete as China's national team. Their hard work and precision earned them the championship — underscoring China's rising strength in vocational baking skills worldwide.

Born in 2004, Huangyan district, Taizhou, Zhejiang, Bao's path to success was far from smooth. After facing setbacks in her high school entrance exam, she shifted focus from pursuing a career in dance to joining Zhejiang Commercial Technician Institute's baking and pastry program.

From day one, Bao committed herself wholeheartedly, balancing classroom learning with intensive hands-on practice.

Over five years, she tirelessly refined fundamental baking techniques — from kneading and fermentation to shaping and baking — accumulating thousands of repetitions that left her hands callused but her skills sharp.

She actively participated in numerous provincial and national competitions, building up the experience and confidence needed for international contests.

Expressing her heartfelt thanks to her school and coaches, Bao emphasized that the victory was a collective achievement. She credited the professional training facilities, expert guidance and team support as key to her growth.

For its part, the Zhejiang Commercial Technician Institute reportedly views Bao's triumph as a testament to its "learning through competition" philosophy and its commitment to cultivating top-tier vocational talent.