Online voting is now open to all bakery customers for Pilots Australia’s Best Bakery Competition 2011.

The winning bakery will receive more than $18,000 in prizes including a Fiji cruise for two, $5000 in cash and a public relations package worth $2500.

Customers can support their local bakery by logging onto www.australiasbestbakery.com.au to vote. The bakery with the most votes nationally by 31 July will be named the winner.

Pilot national marketing manager, Hayley Daniel said she expected this year’s competition to be fierce.

“In 2010 we had over 250 bakeries register and more than 40,000 votes and this year’s competition is set to be bigger and better,” she said.

“The larger number of bakeries expected to battle it out for the 2011 title will certainly turn up the heat of the competition. We know plenty of bakers already up to their elbows in dough in an effort to get a head start on their competitors.”

Ms Daniel said Australia’s love of bakery food had led to the creation of the competition, which is now in its second year.

“Australians consume almost 260 million meat pies each year along with sausage rolls and a range of other baked goods,” she said.

“Bakers are also responsible for many delicious treats, like the lamington, which (is) now part of Aussie culture, so this competition is a great way to acknowledge their important contribution.”