The 2023 Bake Skills Australia National Championships – held at the Fine Food Australia at the Sydney International Convention Centre have now concluded with the winners announced for the champion pastry chef and champion baker.
2023 Bake Skills Australia National Pastry Championship
This year five finalists from around Australia competed in the pastry championship competition.
Carla Penza
Gumnut Patisserie (Mittagong NSW)
Trained at Kingswood TAFE
2023 Bake Skills Australia National Pastry Champion
Olivia Saliba
Harbourfront (Wollongong NSW)
Trained at Wollongong TAFE
Runner-up in the 2023 Bake Skills Australia National Pastry Competition
Alison Wright
Sweet By Nature (Heidelberg VIC)
Trained at William Angliss Institute
Katie Tonkin
Flora Hill Bakehouse (Bendigo VIC)
Trained at William Angliss Institute
Andrew (Andy) Shaw
Bakers Delight (Robina QLD)
Trained at Southbank TAFE
On day one (Monday 11 September) of the pastry competition competitors were asked to produce modern eclairs, Paris Brest, mille-feuille, profiteroles, decorative sweet shortcrust tarts, palmiers, and 3/4 puff Vol au Vents. Competitors also baked a Gourmet Seafood Pie which was judged independently by the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition judges. Day two (Tuesday 12 September) was Special Creations Day. Competitors were asked to produce a baked cheesecake in the Dairy Farmers Challenge, an Innovative Callebaut Chocolate Entremet, and a spectacular special occasion cake.
After two days of fierce competition, the judges congratulated all five competitors on their professionalism and high quality of production. Our congratulations go out to Carla Penza as Champion Pastry Chef and Olivia Saliba as runner-up. Olivia also received the Official Great Aussie Pie Award for her Prawn, Scallop and Barramundi Pie.
2023 Bake Skills Australia National Baker Championship
This year five finalists from around Australia competed on-site at Fine Food Australia in the Bake Skills Australia National Baker Championship.
Rebecca Tracey
CJ’s Bakery (Christie’s Beach SA)
Trained at the International Institute of Food Processing
2023 Bake Skills Australia National Baker Champion
Jackson Kiely
Coles (Haynes WA)
Trained at Bentley TAFE
Runner-up in the 2023 Bake Skills Australia National Baker Competition
Connor Beisler
Dungog Barrington Bakery (Dungog NSW)
Trained at Hamilton TAFE
Lauren Robin
Coles (Beaudesert QLD)
Trained at TAFE QLD
Georgia Brown
Woodend Sourdough (Woodend VIC)
Trained at William Angliss Institute
On day one (Wednesday 13 September) of the competition the baker competitors produced vegetarian coloured croissants, ciabatta, Turkish bread, traditional & decorative baguettes, 4 & 5 strand plaits, rye sourdough, and brioche. Day two (Thursday 14 September) saw our bakers produce their bread plaque show pieces, with a bush tucker theme, white sourdough loaves, bee stings, finger buns, and the gluten-free mystery challenge.
A tight finish was recorded with just three percentage points separating first place from third place. Our judges took specific note of the quality and creativity shown by each of the five competitors. Congratulations to Rebecca Tracey for taking out the 2023 Bake Skills Australia National Baker Championship and Jackson Kiely as runner-up. Jackson also won the Gluten-free Mystery Challenge with his gluten-free scones.
In addition to the opportunity to showcase their baking excellence, this years two champions have won a five night trip to Paris, France to attend Sirha Europain, including flights, accommodation, and spending money. The runners-up have won a trip to Brisbane, Queensland, to attend the Australian Society of Baking Chairmans Dinner & Cocktail Party, and Australian Baking Industry National Scholarship Awards (ABINSA), and spend a day visiting various industry leaders.
Thank you to all who participated, judged, and sponsored the 2023 Bake Skills Australia National Championship. Without your involvement and support we would not be able to promote excellence in baking and provide this platform for our competitors to showcase their skills. Additional thanks to the employers, families, teachers, and mentors who have supported and encouraged these young bakers and pastry chefs.
Judges: Leif Madsen (Head Judge), Amy Sajinovic, Hannah MacDonald, Paul Attwood, and Scott Harrington.
Event Partners: Moffat Bakery, Fine Food Australia, Mayer Fine Foods, and Peerless EOI.
Gold Sponsors: Lesaffre and Dairy Farmers
Silver Sponsors: Queen Professional, Mauri, National Baking Industry Association, and the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition.
Supporters: Carlyle Engineering, Complete Display Equipment, Pace Farm Eggs, and Fraser & Hughes Uniforms, Wollongong TAFE, Kingswood TAFE, William Angliss Institute, Hamilton TAFE, and Southbank TAFE.