The entrepreneur behind Melbourne's iconic Lune Croissanterie has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business honoris causa at the 2023 RMIT graduation ceremony.
If you've walked past one of Lune's five locations early in the morning, chances are you've seen a queue around the block.
But despite her culinary success, founder and owner Kate Reid didn't start her career in hospitality.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace) from RMIT in 2004, she initially pursued her then dream career as a Formula 1 engineer.
"The five years I spent completing my Bachelor of Engineering at RMIT were incredibly fulfilling. I loved everything I was learning - I still think aerodynamics is the most beautiful science on the planet," said Reid.
Following several years overseas, Reid returned to Melbourne seeking a slower life and with what she described as the glimmer of a new passion: baking.
Reid said she took a traditional French croissant recipe and through an intricate process of research, development and creativity, adapted it for the Australian environment to deliver an exceptional and now iconic product.
The project turned out to be the ideal blend of her engineering background and her appreciation for exceptional pastry making.
