Bake Skills Australia, now in its 25th year, is a chance for upcoming bakers and pastry chefs to show us what they’ve got.

Teams of two apprentice bakers under the age of 25 from each state slugged it out against each other over five days of culinary challenges.

This year, three states—Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales—competed. The schedule comprised orientation and bread; bread and yeast products; cake, pastry and dessert products; major creations and pastry; and theme display. During the competition, teams churned out sourdough, danish pastries, brioche, choux pastry, croquenmbouche and more, all centred around the allocated theme of rainforests.

Event organiser Craig Perry said the quality of craftsmanship was excellent and that two things stood out for him: the closeness of the final result and the outstanding theme displays on the final day.

In the end, Team Queensland won the competition. The team worked well together with Matthew Ford taking the lead of the team’s bread products while Nicole Fix led the pastry creations.

They nudged Team South Australia out of the competition by Bake Skills only half of one per cent of available points, making this year’s contest the closest yet.

Judge Paul Critchley said winning the competition would open doors for the team and that many bakers and pastry chefs have gone on to successful careers after having won the Bake Skills contest.

Matthew and Nicole took home the coveted green winners jackets, the Bake Skills Australia National Team Trophy and tickets to Munich, Germany to attend IBA, the world’s largest baking exhibition.

Judges:

Leif Madsen (EOI)
Paul Critchley (Lesaffre)
Brooke Stephen (Le Cordon Bleu)
Greg Burge (F. Mayer/Callebaut)
Jake Lowing (Mauri anz)
Carter Wands (Manildra)

Well done to Team Queensland, and to all the individual winners of the year’s Bake Skills Australia Competition:

Champion Team:
Team Queensland competitors Nicole Fix (King of Cakes) and Matthew Ford (Coles) and manager Cassy Baker supported by Didier Richeux.

The Bake Skills Australia Encouragement Award: presented by EOI to the runners-up.
Winners: Melvin Chan and Darius Kustov-Smith (Team SA).

Official Great Aussie Pie Competition Team Award: presented by the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition for the best gourmet pie.
Winners: Melvin Chan and Darius Kustov-Smith (Team SA).

Competitor’s Choice Plated Dessert: presented by Savour Patisserie School for the best plated dessert.
Winners: Melvin Chan and Darius Kustov-Smith (Team SA).

Lesaffre Champion Bread & Yeast Goods Champion: presented by Lesaffre Australia Pacific for the best individual baking performance.
Winner: Melvin Chan (Muratti’s Cakes & Gateaux, SA).

EOI Champion Cake & Pastry Goods Champion: presented by Peerless EOI for the best individual cake and pastry performance.
Winner: Nicole Fix (King of Cakes, QLD).