Contact your local EOI area manager
If you would like to learn more from our experienced staff and call them with a question please see below. Or feel free to contact us via email at Contact us.
NSW
Andrew Hassan
0417 668 510
I have been involved in the baking industry for over 40 years.
After starting my apprenticeship on the Gold Coast in 1984 and attending Coorparroo TAFE, I finished my apprenticeship in 1988.
During my time at TAFE I became obsessed with pastry, whether it was puff pastry, sweet, or croissant and Danish. My aim was to work in many places and learn as much as I could as quickly as possible. My journey began when I was working at The Pan Pacific Hotel on the Gold Coast as head baker moving onto pastry houses and small family owned patisseries and onto Woolworths in Southport Park in 1992, where I transferred down to Sydney in 1994 where I worked for 5 years till 1999.
In 1999, I purchased my own shop where I won many awards in competions, mainly the The Great Aussie Pie Comp. Ater 19 years of competing I was asked to become a judge in 2021 .
I started teaching at TAFE NSW in 2012, mainly teaching cert 3 baking and Patisserie cert 3 and 4, this gave me a chance to truly give back to the industry.
I started at EOI 30/9/24 and look forward to helping and assisting NSW bakeries that use the quality products of EOI .
In my spare time I own a highly competitive Speedcar Racing Team and are chasing that elusive AUST 1.
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NSW
Paul Attwood
0408 653 960
I have been in the Baking Industry for over 21 years, starting my career at a wholesale bakery called Dadd’s Bakery (Lamington Land). This is where I discovered my love of making pastry. While I was working at Dadd’s Bakery I attended TAFE NSW Ryde campus to obtain my certificate in Bakery Trades.
During my apprenticeship I started working for Woolworths, and stayed for 9 years as a baker. During that time working with many different bakers I learnt all about bread making & many different techniques.
I then moved on to work for Coles in a variety of management roles where I refined my skills in leadership & business.
After 9 years at Coles I returned to my love of pastry by working at Heatherbraes Pies. While there I honed my skills in what makes a great pie and was able to win a few medals at different Pie competitions around the country.
I started at EOI in October 2018 and I thoroughly enjoy my role. I am enjoying meeting new people & learning new skills as well as learning more about the industry I know and love. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of the industry to others. I want everyone to be able to achieve the best outcomes for their business and look forward to seeing them reap the rewards.
Outside of work you will find me spending quality time with my wife and 3 daughters or enjoying a round of Golf. I look forward to being of assistance to you.
VIC / TAS
Brendan Bullen
0418 993 791
I have been in the baking industry for over 28 years.
I have been involved in the baking industry from a young age as my family owned and operated Freemans Bakery Cafes in the regional town of Shepparton, Vic. From the age of 16, I started my apprenticeship through William Angliss and worked full time in the family business right through to 2004 when we sold the business when I was a director of the business. I then went and worked in the flour industry as well as in a business that imported natural niche ingredients such as humectants and emulsifiers for the food and pharmaceutical industries. After that I joined a Cake Manufacturer in product development assisting production, solving issues, and special projects.
In 2011 an opportunity came up with EOI / Peerless Foods and I joined this company. I love that my role is to sell a quality product that I believe in but also allows me to assist and build a working partnership with each business and offer support from improving their baked goods, problem solving or guidance with the day to day running of their business. This also allows me the opportunity to provide demonstrations for our customers or future customers, rather than just selling them a product.
Outside of work, you will find me baking at home and developing new recipes, following football (Go Bombers), Cricket or spending quality time with my wife, daughter, two dogs, family and friends.
VIC
Ryan Smith
0411 868 022
I have been in the baking industry for 23 years. Having completed my baking apprenticeship at University of Ballarat, I developed a love for baking and pastry and wished to explore the trade. This love has led me to work throughout metro Melbourne and country Victoria.
My baking journey has allowed me the opportunity to work across a variety of different business types including artisan, franchise, retail and small to medium plant bakeries. My thirst to learn and passion for knowledge has been the key driver that has enabled me to work amongst some of the industries most recognised patisseries and bakeries and having gathered a broad knowledge base along the way.
EOI Peerless Foods has an incredible reputation in the baking industry and I’m very proud to now be a part of the team. Whilst I’ll always keep learning and expanding on my baking experience, I will look forward to using any experience and knowledge I’ve have gained to date, to help our customers.
Outside of work you will find me spending time with my wife and daughters. Our favourite place to be is at the beach. I love my Footy and have a pretty impressive movie collection.
SA /WA
Jason Riley
0417 200 105
Qualified Baker /Pastry Chef with 29 years experience in the industry. At a young age I enjoyed several roles within bakeries including Buttercup and the Stamford Hotel as well as independent small business before gaining and completing my apprenticeship at Regency TAFE.
After completing my apprenticeship I moved to the UK where I had twelve month work placement in a bakery. On returning back to Australia I commenced a role as a production manager for a family owned bakery in Glenelg.
Prior to joining EOI I worked for a flour milling company as a technical representative.
I am now into my 14th year with Peerless Foods/EOI and I enjoy working with customers to provide confidence and growth in an industry where you are always learning. I enjoy getting my hands dirty working side by side with customers demonstrating all the benefits of using EOI products.
With 18yrs experience judging across National baking competitions (Great Australian Vanilla Slice Trump/ Great Aussie Pie Comp / Royal Show’s & Bakeskills) I know what it takes to make great products.
QLD
Leif Madsen
0417 217 994
I was born in Denmark and qualified as a baker & pastry cook with honours in 1983. After completing my trade I worked in various bakeries as well as a bakery ingredients manufacturer where I was involved in product development and quality control.
After relocating to Perth to work with Danish Patisserie as head baker I ultimately relocated to Sydney where I owned and operated The Village Bakery. After selling The Village Bakery I relocated to Brisbane where I had a number of roles with various bakeries Head Pastry Chef for Queen of Hearts an upmarket cake manufacturer that catered for Parliament House as well as first and business class airlines.
My relationship with the EOI brand began in 1999 when I joined Unilever as Area Manager – Bakery in Melbourne. In 2001 I relocated with Unilever to the Brisbane office. Since this time I have had a number of sales roles within food service and in 2011 I joined EOI/Peerless Foods as Area Manager – Bakery in Queensland.
The baking industry is a passion for me as much as an occupation. Assisting both individuals and businesses in the industry is what I enjoy most about my role.
Leo Mato
National Business Manager Bakery
0408 791 209
I have been involved in the baking industry for over 40 years. Being part of 3 generations of a baking family, my first introduction was from a very early age tagging along daily with my Grandfather to stack wood and fire up an old scotch oven in Uruguay. Since immigrating to Australia in 1970, my family has owned a number of businesses throughout NSW Southern Highlands and South Coast and also in Western Australia. Having finished my apprenticeship at East Sydney TAFE in 1988, I have previously owned my own bakery and also worked in and held production manager roles in medium to large production plant bakeries.
I have been extremely fortunate to have worked in the Milling industry. With the transition across to EOI and the bakery fats and oils sector, it has enabled me to not only broaden my ingredient knowledge, but has also expanded the pleasure to have worked with so many industry experts throughout these businesses over the years. I really enjoy listening to others about their bakery experience and businesses and I’m keen share whatever I can to add value. It is true that baking is a passion not just a job, this statement is often backed up as there are still so many familiar faces working within the industry over many years.
Outside of work my passions are family, travel and old muscle cars, particularly old Holden’s, sorry Ford fans.
Please feel free to contact me or stop in and say hello at the EOI stand at any of our industry events. I really enjoy getting to as many of these as I can to meet old and new customers and friends.
Hein Daandels
Business Development Manager Bakery
0448 863 041
I was born in The Netherlands where I completed bread and pastry qualifications, followed by a Food Science degree. I’ve worked as a Pastry Chef and Baker in restaurants and bakeries both in The Netherlands and here in Australia. I then moved onto product development and technical support for some of Australia’s larger baked goods manufacturers including Patties Foods and Susan Day Cakes.
I’ve also operated my own bakery, producing both bread and patisserie. After working with EOI products for many years, I started work with EOI/Peerless Foods team in July, 2023. I’m excited about being part of this team and looking at new opportunities for the business.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, and trying to keep some old motorcycles going.
If you would like to learn more from our experienced staff, feel free to call them with a question above or contact us via email here
