The winners from last year’s competition headed to iba in Munich—a trip they were awarded for taking out the 2017 Bake Skills competition.

Craig Perry took 2017 Bake Skills champions Matt Ford and Nicole Fix, along with team manager Cassy Baker from Southbank TAFE, to iba in September.

“There were so many exhibitors from small producers through to full production lines,” says Craig.

“I am reliably told that at least one exhibitor invested over one-million Euros on their stand!”

Craig says a walk around all 12 halls clicked up around 14 kilometres.

“Many a weary traveller at day’s end,” he says.

The Bake Skills team enjoyed an official welcome along with ASB and New Zealand Bake Skills champions before roaming the floor.

Craig says creative, decorated and plain doughnuts were everywhere.

Other items on display were cakes sprayed with edible gold colouring, artisan breads, edible bread labels, and buddies—a new product from a local German bakery.

“The flour casing includes eggs and has a soft texture after frying. It is then filled with either sweet fills such as spiced apple, or one of a variety of Germany’s favourite sausages. The bonus with this product is that it’s closed on one end so it doesn’t leak out everywhere when you bite into it,” says Craig.