Show-goers at the 2012 IGA Perth Royal Show couldn’t help but feel a little envious of the judges in charge of the bread and pastry offer.

Denmark Bakery took out first place for its multigrain, wholemeal and white Devon loaves, jubilee twist and wholemeal sourdough free-form. The Bassendean-based bakery was also the most successful pastry exhibitor, with first place in the vanilla slice, black forest cake and cream horns, as well as and gourmet lamb, beef and chicken pie divisions.

Around 80 bakeries submitted 600 entries in the bread and pastry section, which for the first time also included a gluten-free bread division.

The judges chose to rank the entries on smell rather than on taste, with soft texture and whiteness of colour also key criteria.