2025 Woolworths Baker of the Year Thomas Parker shares with us the experience of taking home the top prize against some of the nation’s best, as well as what inspires him every day.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

My name is Tommy Parker. I’m a baker/pastry cook and this years Woolworths Baker of the Year winner. My wife’, Jackie, and I have three beautiful children: Hayley, Nathaniel and Patrick. Patrick was born only a few days before I flew to Sydney from Brisbane for the competition. We also have a two-year-old grandson, Braiden, who we adore. I’m a big fan of ‘90s Hip Hop and ‘80s action flicks and live in Ipswich, Qld.

Can you remember when you realised this was the industry for you?

I started out helping my Uncle Kevin on a Friday night after school at the Yeronga Bakery when I was 14. I did that on and off and slowly learned baking skills and began to really enjoy it. I was paid $20 a night but I was mainly there to keep him company and would often be asleep on the flour bags by 2am.

My uncle would teach me things as simple as hand moulding loaves and I fell in love with the feeling of satisfaction when something I made came out of the oven. He was very patient with me in those early years and that’s something I try and be cognisant of when I’m training someone new.

How were the early days of your apprenticeship?

I was doing work experience in year 12 one day a week at a wholesale bakery in Salisbury called Dells Cakes where my uncle was a supervisor. The owner offered me an apprenticeship and I started full time in January 2001 after finishing school.

Although it was quite busy and there were some long days it was the perfect place to do an apprenticeship as they made pretty much everything and from scratch.

I worked there for 11 years over two separate stints. My thought process initially was I’d complete my apprenticeship while figuring out what I was going to do with my life. I enjoyed it so much nearly 25 years later I still have the same enthusiasm I did as a 17-year-old.

Can you share a bit about the competition experience?

I was fortunate enough to get through the group and zone stage and win the Queensland title for the second year in a row. The competition started in January and culminated in flying to Sydney for the National bake off in March against the other State Champions.

Having the experience from competing in Sydney last year helped in knowing what to expect this year and I was lucky enough to come away with the win. We were judged on a six-pack Hot Cross Buns based on a range of criteria including general appearance, taste, crumb colour, smell and texture. It was an awesome experience to meet other passionate bakers from around the country and winning was a bonus.

What was it like to take home the top prize?

I couldn’t believe it when I was announced the winner. I was hopeful but not overly confident so it was a massive shock and for the first time in my life I was a little speechless. It’s the 10th year of the competition and a great honour for me to win. Along with a trophy I won an $8000 Flight Centre travel voucher which my wife and kids are planning to use on our first overseas holiday. My first time on a plane was to Sydney for last year’s competition.

What was the preparation like for the competition?

All year I was practicing and trying to perfect my Hot Cross Buns in store at Indooroopilly. Stuart Evans from Allied Pinnacle was invaluable in his advice to me from a technical aspect. The real test, though, is trying to replicate the baking in a foreign environment using mixers and ovens I’m not really familiar with. I’m grateful for all the support I received from Allied and Woolworths Indooroopilly, especially my store manager, Jimmy, who has really encouraged me in the competition the last few years.

Where do you see yourself in the industry in the future?

I’ve really enjoyed mentoring my cadet/apprentice Lizzie at Woolworths, who recently won a second place trophy at the Toowoomba Bread Show. Helping train the next generation of bakers is something that really appeals to me.

The trade needs more young people to be inspired to not only take up baking but to stay in the industry long term. There is a shortage of quality bakers out there so programs like the Woolworths Cadetship and Apprenticeships are a positive way to get more people involved in baking. It really can be a rewarding career if you have a passion for it. I’ve haven’t been a day out of work in 25 years, and I still look forward every day to try and improve my baking.

What’s your favourite thing to make?

Up until the last few years I would have said pies. I ate a pie nearly every day of my apprenticeship and later worked for Noel Donnelly in the cake department at Big Dads Pies.

He was a close mentor and friend to me and to see him having a great time in the bakehouse in his 80s impressed on me the importance of enjoying your job. To this day I still think his pies are the best I’ve eaten.

Since starting at Woolworths though I’ve come to really enjoy the Easter period and making Hot Cross Buns. There’s more than meets the eye to a perfect Hot Cross Bun and I really think Woolworths makes the best in the country.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’d like to thank Graeme Taylor and his team at Allied Pinnacle and everyone at Woolworths I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the last couple of years for running a great competition. I hope more Woolworths bakers get involved in the future because it is a great experience.

I often say I wish I came to Woolworths earlier because it has been some of the most enjoyable time in my career. And finally thank you to my uncle Kevin Hunter for sparking my initial interest nearly 30 years ago.