It was hot in the kitchen at TAFE NSW when the NSW state round of Excellence in Baking took place.

Held on January 30, the apprentices knuckled down for a hard day, producing top-notch pastries and bread.

William Nickl and Connor Beisler were announced as the winners. The duo will now go on to represent NSW in the National Grand Final Bake Off, which will be held in Melbourne on June 18-20.

Up next is the Excellence in Baking South Australia rounds. The first competition will be held on February 16 (bread), and the pastry component will take place on February 23. The Victorian rounds will also be held in February on the 19th and 20th.

The 2024 Excellence in Baking National Bread and Pastry national winners will receive a scholarship from Rosewood Research that will allow the winners to visit an artisan bakery and farm to expand their studies on both bread and pastry.