South Australian bakery Banana Boogie Bakery have claimed the title of the nation’s best vanilla slice in 2024, after winning The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph.

The 2024 competition was held over the weekend, with bakers travelling from near and far to compete in the event.

Banana Boogie Bakery claimed the 2024 Professional Vanilla Slice title, with Sharp’s Bakery Birchip and North End Bakehouse rounding out the top three. The People’s Choice Award went to Roland Views Homemade Foods.

It was a hard-earned win for the Banana Boogie team, who have gone for gold in the competitions seven times. They also claimed gold in the Innovative Vanilla Slice category with their Biscoff Slice.

The result was also a reversal of the 2023 competition, which saw North End Bakehouse Shepparton take home first place in the Professional Vanilla Slice category.

It was the second notable win for Banana Boogie Bakery, which also took home the Best Sausage Roll and Vanilla Slice crowns at the South Australian Baking Show held earlier this year.

Professional categories for the 2024 Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph also included Best Fruit Mince Tart, Best Fruit Cake, and Best Plum Pudding. Other professional categories included Best Apprentice Vanilla Slice, Peoples Choice Vanilla Slice, and Best Innovative Vanilla Slice. The competition also has categories for registered kitchens, secondary school students, primary school students, amateurs, and seniors.

Organisers said the annual event had attracted more entries than ever before this year.

The full list of professional award-winners can be found below:

Vanilla Slice:

• First place: Banana Boogie Bakery
• Second place: Sharp’s Bakery
• Third place: North End Bakehouse

Fruit Mince Tart

• First place: Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery.
• Second place: CJ’s Bakery
• Third place: Kytons Bakery

Innovative Vanilla Slice

• First place: Banana Boogie Bakery
• Second place: North End Bakehouse
• Third place: Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery

Fruit Cake

• First place: Hudaks Bakery
• Second place: Kytons Bakery
• Third palace: Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery

Plum Pudding

• First place: Kytons Bakery
• Second place: Hudaks Bakery
• Third place: Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery

The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph Merbein has held annually since 1998.