Western Australia’s best bakers have been crowned at the 2026 Perth Royal Food Awards – Bread & Pastry.

With categories ranging from artisan sourdough to croissants, pies and cakes, there were 253 entries – more than double those in 2025.

Leading the field was Big Loaf Factory Bakery (O’Connor, WA), who took home Most Successful Bread Exhibitor, as well as Champion Loaf and Champion Artisan Bread for the country rye. Miami Bakehouse (Mandurah, WA) claimed three honours for Most Successful Apprentice Exhibitor and Champion Pastry Exhibited by an Apprentice or Pre-Apprentice Exhibitor, and Champion Pastry Exhibited by an Apprentice or Pre-Apprentice thanks to Cameron Tasker. The Mandurah bakery also won Champion Pie for their garlic prawn pie.

The final Special Trophy for Most Successful Pastry Exhibitor went to Jus For You (Bentley, WA) for their pies.

Big Loaf Factory Bakery co-owner Lachlan Bisset said he was honoured by the hard work of the team who were up working from one o’clock each morning.

“When you’re making this kind of product we take it very seriously. This really is the food that grows the generations of tomorrow,” he said.

“We love making artisan bread and baked goods for people to enjoy, and we’re proud to do it using outstanding WA wheat.

“To be acknowledged with these awards is beyond all my dreams.”

Chief judge Amy Sajinovic said with more than 250 entries this was one of their strongest competitions yet.

“The standard continues to improve every year, making it increasingly difficult for our judges to separate the best from the best,” she said.

“It was exciting to introduce the new Brownie and Almond Croissant classes, and particularly pleasing to see growth in the apprentice categories. I commend everyone who entered, and all the businesses that continue to support and encourage emerging talent.”

Royal Agricultural Society of WA chief executive officer Robyn Sermon said many of the products recognised in the Bread & Pastry competition are part of everyday life, but there is nothing ordinary about the skill and dedication required to create them.

“Behind every award-winning loaf, pastry and cake is a chain of excellence that begins with quality ingredients and continues through to the hands of talented bakers and pastry makers,” she said.

“These awards celebrate the people who add value at every step of that journey, creating products that are shared, enjoyed and woven into the moments that bring our communities together.”