Bengaluru baker Smriti Nambiar wins silver at WorldSkills competition
Smriti Nambiar secured a silver medal and the Best of Nation title at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
News Desk · October 10, 2026 · 1 min read
Bengaluru-born baker Smriti Nambiar has clinched a silver medal at the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai, marking a significant milestone for Indian representation on the global vocational stage.
The international event, conducted from September 22 to 27, featured 68 participating countries and regions competing across 64 skill categories. Ms. Nambiar competed against 22 global entrants in the bakery division and earned the distinction of being named India's Best of the Nation competitor.
Her journey to the podium followed a rigorous two-year preparation cycle, with intense training concentrated over the final four months under the guidance of mentor Avin Thaliath, co-founder of the Lavonne Academy. The curriculum required candidates to master 16 distinct baking modules spanning baguettes, croissants, cinnamon rolls, cream buns, and multiple sourdough varieties across a strict two-day timeline.
The concluding phase of the competition challenged participants to construct an elaborate showpiece centered around a designated theme. For this year's edition, the motif required competitors to interpret the Year of the Horse through baked elements.
Reflecting on the infrastructure provided at the venue, Ms. Nambiar noted that the organization supplied all required ingredients and equipment, ensuring operational efficiency throughout the multi-day event. Alongside the technical evaluations, the gathering allowed participants to interact with peers from various international delegations.
Five other women represented India across distinct hospitality categories at the Shanghai convention. The competition serves as a premier global platform for vocational excellence, highlighting technical proficiency and industry standards across multiple sectors.
With the international event concluded, Ms. Nambiar intends to apply the advanced techniques and procedural discipline acquired during her preparation to her ongoing professional practice within the culinary sector.
