The Great Aussie Pastie Competition and Australia’s Best Pie will take place May 27-29 at Foodservice Australia expo, Sydney, and carry prizes worth $7500 for qualified bakers and $500 for apprentices.

The baking industry will have a significant presence at Foodservice Australia, according to event organiser Timothy Collett.

“We have been working closely with Baking Associations of Australia and together have organised an exciting program specifically for the baking industry. The program includes competitions, demonstrations and a unique opportunity to talk one-on-one with experienced bakers, judges, suppliers and industry leaders,” Mr Collett said.

The event is supported by MLA, VanRooy, Master Foods, Saxbys, Laucke, MCS, Kam, Kerry, Mackies, W&P Reedy, Sydney Markets and Toll.

“As the national body, we work with many industry bodies to ensure we maintain our commitment to quality and to this end we have assembled a team of expert judges headed by Ron Taylor and Mike French,” BAA executive director Tony Smith said.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the judging process, ask questions and learn what they are looking for in the perfect pastie or pie.”

There will also be free demonstrations and discussions on using the right ingredients and how to bake the perfect product.

“This year at Foodservice Australia we have something of interest to everyone in the baking industry – including the opportunity to talk to experts about baking better products,” Tony said.

“No baker serious about the business of baking should miss it,” he said.

In addition to the hundreds of new products and suppliers on display, there will also be free business seminars and workshops, the finals of Chef of the Year, The World Masters of Chocolate and the Global Pizza Challenge.