Queensland baker Thomas Parker has taken out the 2025 Woolworths Baker of the Year title.

Thomas, who works in the bakery at Woolworths Indooroopilly located in Brisbane, impressed the judges with his perfect traditional hot cross buns who awarded him with top marks for taste, texture, and fruit to dough ration.

Thomas said the competition has capped off a busy few weeks for him.

“[I was] first helping my dad keep his house safe during the recent floods and then my wife gave birth to our fourth child – a beautiful baby boy,” he said.

“I can’t believe I won. I had to keep on double checking the trophy to make sure it was really me.

“I began baking at 17, as I was inspired by my uncle who was a baker and so I just wanted to be like him.”

The 2025 competition also saw Nicol Strang from Forest Lakes, WA,  be awarded the inaugural All-Star Baker of the Year trophy.

The All-Star competition saw a total of five past winners, four from Australia and one from New Zealand, create their own unique baked goods. Nicol’s winning savoury wreath featured brie, sundried tomato, spinach and feta.

Nicol, who began baking at just 15-years-old, has worked at Woolworths since 2022 and said it was a great honour to go up against other talented bakers in the competition.

“It’s something many of us were excited to participate in,” he said.

“I’ve been baking for more than 40 years and I’m really proud that I have the opportunity to mentor new bakers coming into the trade.”

Woolworths Bakery Merchandise Manager Donald Keith said it was a highlight each year to celebrate the passion and talent of the dedicated bakers.

“The standard is always incredibly high, and this competition is all about the things we love most about Woolworths, the people and the high quality products that we deliver to our customers each and every day,” he said.