Baking competitions are a great way to promote and endorse your baking business or baking skills. Whether you are a baking business owner, qualified baker/ pastry cook, or an apprentice the benefits received when entering professional baking competitions are endless, however we’ve listed Five Reasons to Enter Baking Competitions in this article.
1. Generates interest in your business
Winning a first place title or even becoming a runner-up is great for your business. Competitions need to promote their own event which usually includes advertising, winner announcements, or competition updates, content can be published online, in social media, or even in local papers and TV. This means your business name is getting in front of potential customers. Even just entering gives you a reason to shout out about it and involve your existing customers.
2. Promotes your products
Local media loves a good success story, which creates a great opportunity to get editorial content in your local newspaper or maybe even an interview on the radio. You can start by promoting your entry on social media profile, your website, and in-store, then invite local media to try the product, which in turn can lead to increased sales and new customers.
3. Provides a challenge
Everybody loves a challenge, especially one that can offer such a great result for your business. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you are given the occasion to compete against fellow bakers and push your skills a bit further than the everyday. You can be creative and innovative which may lead to the development of a new product that your customers love, or even the winning entry.
4. Gets you the recognition you deserve
Being selected as a winner/runner up gives you recognition for your skills as a baker and an achievement for your resume, not to mention providing an accolade to show off in-store or in your marketing. Customers love to see ribbons, trophies, medals, or awards displayed in your bakery, it could even entice them to try something they didn’t notice before.
5. Allows you to receive constructive feedback
Whether you win or not baking competitions offer a chance to learn what makes your product so impressive or how it can be improved. Generally judges are happy to deliver constructive feedback or assist you in tweaking your technique.
There are a number of competitions you can enter in the Australian baking industry like the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition or LA Judge Award which are national or regional competitions like the Royal Adelaide Show Professional Baking Competition. The challenges presented by these competitions include baking skills and industry knowledge and can be aimed at apprentices, qualified bakers, or baking businesses.
The NBIA recommends competing in baking competitions to keep your skills sharp and fresh. It’s also a great way to network with industry peers and learn something new. Keep an eye on the NBIA social media profiles, eNewsletter, and website for updates and announcements about baking competitions around Australia.