Adelaide apprentice Lauren Govender from Banana Boogie Bakery has been named as the 2025 Bake Skills Australia National Pastry Chef.

The national final was held on September 9 and 10, at Find Foods Australia, and saw first-year apprentice Lauren compete side-by-side with Nikki Falzon from Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.

The win rounds out a big year for Lauren, who has also taken home the Apprentice Plain Mince Beef Title at the Great Aussie Pie and Pastie Competition.

Banana Boogie Bakery owner Jason Spencer told Glam Adelaide that Lauren’s win was a moment he’d never forget.

“Lauren shows up every single day ready to give everything she has. I knew she had a shot, but to see her actually take the win, it was incredible,” he said.

“We’re just so proud of her.

“She has this calm determination about her that you don’t see very often.”

As part of her prize Lauren received the coveted green jacket and trophy, as well as a trip to Europe.

Baking Association of Australia chief executive Tony Smith said this was a new addition to the prize in 2025 because they wanted to include something a little different.

“Normally the winners would go to either iba or San Francisco, but this year through the network we have with other associations – so the Craft Bakers in England and the Scottish Baking Association – are going to host the two winners in Europe for a couple of weeks,” he said.

“There they’ll get to see how they make their bread and pies and cakes. It’ll be a bit more in depth than attending a trade show.”

At the time of writing the second day of the Bread competition was getting underway.