Registrations are officially open for the 2025 Australian Baking Industry National Scholarship Awards (ABINSA).

The Australian Society of Baking will once again be partnering with EOI and a select group of sponsors and industry supporters for the 2025 awards.

The scholarship awards will have two categories: The Sydney J Packham Industry Medal for entrants aged 18 to 24, and the Arthur E Denison Trophy for those aged 25-and-over. Both winners will receive a package valued at more than $7000 that includes a five-day tour and a bakery course at the San Francisco Bakery Institute.

The annual competition aims to showcase the nation’s best bakers and pastry cooks to the world, and is open to those working in a retail, manufacturing or educational role within the Australian baking industry.

2024 The Sydney J Packham Industry Medal winner Maylee Howard said taking part in the scholarship had been an incredibly rewarding experience.

“I loved getting to dive into key industry topics and learn about some of the inspirational people who shaped baking,” she said.

“The regional scholarship industry tour was an eye-opener and a great chance to network with others in the field. Finishing the scholarship paper took a lot of time, but making it as detailed as possible was definitely worth it.”

It’s a sentiment 2024 Arthur E Denison Trophy winner David Damour echoed.

“This was my second time taking part in this competition. In 2023 I came second and that was such an achievement. But to win was amazing,” he said.

“For those who aren’t aware of this competition, it is a writing competition. You have few months to write a paper on a particular subject relating to the baking industry. There is a of research involved, engaging and talking to people to be able to make it happen, and of course, submitting it on time.”

Registrations of interest for the 2025 ABINSA awards can be submitted on the Australian Society of Baking’s website.