Glossy texture, yellow colour, creamy texture and flaky pastry were key criteria at the 15th Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph.

More than 60 local and interstate bakeries took part in the competition, which recently moved to Merebin, near Victoria’s agricultural centre, Mildura.

Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip, Victoria, took out the top honours, while Shepparton’s Mooroopna Bakery won the Professional Innovative award.

Chief judge and EOI bakery manager SA/WA Jason Riley said he was pleased Sharp’s Bakery had taken out the award after being close for several years.

“Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip got it so right! A consistent performer, the bakery’s vanilla slices were proportionally beautifully presented while their custard filling had a very creamy smooth texture, well balanced in taste by the vanilla,” Jason said.

“Added to this, Sharp’s puff pastry was perfectly baked, crisp and crunchy, and topped with a well-tempered fondant that was smooth and shiny. These vanilla slices had great visual and appetite appeal.”

The famed event was born in 1998, when former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett declared a vanilla slice from Ouyen’s Mallee Bakery to be the best he had sampled.