The nation’s best apprentice baker and apprentice pastry cook have been decided and officially recognised at a gala with over 200 industry participants.

At Australian baking’s night of nights, the Excellence in Baking Awards Night, on June 1, Daniel Blackburn was presented with the award for Best Apprentice Baker, while the award for Best Apprentice Pastry Cook went to Sally Fitzsimmons.

Both state winners from New South Wales, Daniel comes from Bakers’ Delight in Muswellbrook, while Sally has been learning her pastry skills at Ganache Patisserie in Sydney.

The winners from each state competition battled it out on the stage of the Baking Industry Trade Show, held at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley Racecourse from May 31 to June 2, in hopes of taking out the top national honour.

Those attending the awards night—including Moonee Valley City Council Mayor Samantha Byrne—were treated to a dessert buffet created by all participants in the competition.