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It’s been a smashing slice of a year for Victoria in the food competition arena. In the last year alone, we’ve won Australia’s best pie, Australia’s best pizza, and now, in excellent news for those with a sweet tooth – Australia’s best vanilla slice.
The award winner is North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, which beat out some fierce national competition in the annual Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph contest in Merbein last weekend. Posting a photo of its epic slice, the bakery shared on Facebook, “We did it!”
Baker Matt Aylett credits his success to 17 years of solid practice making the silkiest, yummiest, most decadent vanilla slice possible. From the pastry to the custard and icing, the judges could clearly taste the passion and dedication in Aylett’s recipe, key factors that won his bakery first place.
It’s not the first time North End Bakehouse has garnered national attention. In 2021 and 2022, the team were awarded Australia’s Best Hot Cross Bun titles, while the bakery’s walls are lined with various trophies and awards for other products like their pies and sausage rolls. But making the perfect vanilla slice has been Aylett’s greatest focus since he started a baking apprenticeship in 2006.
Another Victorian bakery took out second place at the vanilla slice competition, Sharps Bakery in Birchip, while Adelaide’s Banana Boogie Bakery took out third. Congrats, pastry wizards!