The Making of @melbfoodieee
From bakery student to trusted food content creator, Angliss baking graduate Ailene Wu is building a career fuelled by food, storytelling and community. We spoke with her about her journey, the value of hands-on training, and her plans for the future.
A passion for baking and food
What first sparked your interest in food and baking?
I’ve always been a foodie kid. I grew up watching cooking shows with my mum instead of cartoons! Baking was the first thing I could do by myself at home. I loved that it was precise but also creative and that you could make people happy with something you made from scratch.
As someone who shares food experiences online on Instagram and TikTok, how has this content creation helped expand your understanding of the food industry?
It’s made me see both sides. As a baker I understood product and technique, but creating content taught me about hospitality, marketing, storytelling and how hard restaurants and small bakeries work behind the scenes. I learnt to respect the whole industry more.
Learning the fundamentals at Angliss
What motivated you to choose the Certificate II in Baking at William Angliss Institute?
I wanted proper technical skills, not just YouTube tutorials. Angliss is known in Melbourne as the place for hands-on hospitality training and I wanted to learn from people who are actively working in the industry.
What skills or knowledge from the course have stayed with you the most?
The fundamentals. Dough temperatures, fermentation, chocolate tempering and how to troubleshoot when something goes wrong instead of just starting over. That knowledge and those skills never leave you.
How important was the hands-on learning experience in building your confidence in commenting on food?
I review differently now. I notice crumb structure, proofing, balance of sweetness. I can explain why something is good, not just that it is.
How has studying baking given you a unique perspective versus a food creator without expertise?
Many creators base their reviews on looks and hype. I’ve been on the other side of the bench at 4am, so I have way more appreciation for technique, consistency and all the work that gets poured into that dish in front of you.
What advice would you give to future students who are passionate about food but may be considering career paths beyond becoming a baker or chef?
Studying baking doesn’t lock you into one job. It’s a foundation. You can go into product development, food media, styling, content, business, teaching. The skills are transferable everywhere.
From bakery student to content creator
How has your career journey evolved since completing your qualification at William Angliss Institute?
I went from a baking student, to working in a bakery, and then to full-time content creation across Instagram and TikTok. Angliss gave me credibility, and content gave me reach.
How did your social media journey begin?
I started posting “Day in the life of a bakery student” vlogs during my studies to document my progress. It grew organically. People found it fascinating, and then I started sharing my own Melbourne recommendations. The rest is history!
What have been some of the biggest highlights or achievements in your career so far?
Growing my audience to 10,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram was a highlight and having small businesses tell me that a video brought them a line of customers to their door. That’s the best feeling.
Have there been any challenges along the way?
Imposter syndrome, burnout and learning that content is also a business involving invoices, contracts, time management. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.
What has been the most rewarding part of building a community around your food content?
When people send me a message saying, “I went here because of you, and it was amazing.” It feels like a shared love of food, not just followers.
What are your long-term career goals and aspirations?
To keep building @melbfoodieee as a trusted food guide, do more long-form travel and food series, and eventually have my own product line — bakery or dessert focused.
What message would you share with prospective William Angliss Institute students who are considering a career in baking or the food industry?
Do it if you genuinely love the work. You’ll be on your feet all day, but if you love food, there is no better foundation in Australia. It can also open way more doors than you think.
Quick Fire
Most overrated food trend?
Over-the-top milkshakes with a whole cake on top.
They look good for two seconds but are impossible to eat.
Most underrated Melbourne foodie spot?
There are so many! If I had to choose two, I’d say Machi in St Kilda for incredible
Japanese cuisine and Prosa in Collingwood for authentic Brazilian food.
Dream food destination anywhere in the world.
South Korea! I’ve never been and just want to wander around,
stumble across tiny local gems and eat my heart out.
One word that describes your food content style?
Energetic!
If you weren't creating food content, what would you be doing?
I would probably be in a bakery kitchen or in food product development.
What's one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Since I didn’t grow up with any “fancy” ingredients, I’m honestly still not in love
with oysters,truffle and foie gras. Give me a steaming plate of char kway teow
with extra wok hei any day!
Ailene's journey highlights the many directions a baking qualification can take you. After completing the Certificate II in Baking at Angliss, she combined the technical skills she developed in the kitchen with her passion for food to build a thriving online community. Her story shows how a love of baking and food can create opportunities well beyond traditional career pathways.
In Victoria, Free TAFE makes baking training more accessible than ever.
Ready to turn your passion for food into a career? Study baking at Angliss. Learn more about Angliss courses, information sessions and campus tours by contacting the Future Students team on +61 3 8595 5334 or enquiry@angliss.edu.au.
