The Baking Association of Australia (BAA) has announced the dates for the 2025 Excellence in Baking state rounds.

The competition for apprentice pastry chefs and bakers has already kicked off with the WA state round taking place on August 27. Jonathon Yates from Toodyay Bakery took home the top prize.

The other dates are:

• Tasmanian Bread Baking: November 18, 2024 at TasTAFE Devonport campus
• Tasmanian Pastry Cook: November 19, 2024 at TasTAFE Devonport campus
• SA Bread Baking and Pastry Cook: November 25, 2024 at Regency Park TAFE SA
• NSW Bread Baking and Pastry Cook: January 30, 2024 at TAFE NSW Hamilton campus
• Qld Bread Baking and Pastry Cook: February 4, 2025 at TAFE Qld Southbank campus
• Vic Bread Bread Baking: February 17, 2025 at Go TAFE Shepparton
• Vic Pastry Cook: February 18, 2025 at Go TAFE Shepparton.

The 2025 National Excellence in Baking award winners will travel to New Zealand to take part in the ANZBake competition.

BAA executive officer Tony Smith said the Excellence in Baking competition was one of the most prestigious events for the baking industry.

“… it promotes some of the best apprentices we have across Australia,” he said.

2024 National Excellence in Baking winner (bread) Connor Beisler said, “Like any competition Excellence in Baking wasn’t easy”.

“Long training hours, things not going to plan, lots to do not enough time to do it. That’s the fun of these events pushing yourself to be the best you can be and getting out of your comfort zone.”

Further information about the Excellence in Baking competition as well as entry forms can be found on the BAA website.