The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph moved to Mildura City Heart this year.

Judges pored over 53 entries across three categories to determine the winner of the vanilla slice competition in August. Mildura CBD came to life with live music, kids activities and cooking demonstrations by Stefano de Pieri.

Chief judge, Corey Howard from EOI Peerless Foods, was impressed with Mildura’s inaugural event, saying: “We are absolutely blown away by the passion of the greater Mildura City community with the transition of the event to the Langtree Mall location. We have spent a great deal of time discussing the judging process with the public, and a huge number of people viewed the display of the professional entries.”

Joining Corey on the judging team were Ty Baxter (Baxter Food Equipment Solutions), Brendan Bulleen and Jason Riley (both from EOI Peerless Foods), and Paul Brown (Timstock). They were backed up by a team of local judging assistants, headed up by Anne Nash and Syd Nash.

Mildura City Heart chairman Ryan Hammerton was thrilled with the event, saying: “Although this is a transition year for us, with a smaller schedule of categories, we saw the Langtree Mall filled to capacity, and we have seen many people travel to the region for the event.

“We look forward to a full-format event in 2018, and gratefully acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved, particularly our volunteers, in making the day a huge triumph.”

Congratulations to the winners:

Professional Vanilla Slice:
1st – Hudak’s Bakery (Mildura City)
2nd – Tatura Hot Bread (Tatura)
3rd – North End Bakehouse (Shepparton)

Professional Innovative Vanilla Slice:
1st – Rob Beanham (crème de citrouille and caramel)
2nd – Rod Miller (blueberry and lemon)
3rd – Tim Sullivan (mango lassi)
All prize winners for the Professional Innovative category were from Mawson’s Bakery (Euroa)

Apprentice Vanilla Slice:
1st – Ryan Kuhn from Country Cob Bakery (Kyneton)
2nd – Lina Hut from Country Cob Bakery (Kyneton)
3rd – Kaitlin Cass from The Deakin Bakery (Mildura City)

People’s Choice Award:
1st – The Deakin Bakery (Mildura)