NZ baker Delmari Janse van Rensburg. Photo: AEGIC

NEW Zealand baker Delmari Janse van Rensburg has been named the 2025 LA Judge Award baking apprentice of the year after three days of spirited competition.

The winner was revealed in Sydney on Thursday at the LA Judge Award Gala Dinner, hosted by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre and Woolworths.

The LA Judge Award has tested young bakers across Australia and New Zealand since 1967, and this year’s competitors once again combined a challenging gauntlet of practical baking, theory and presentation skills.

Thanks to major sponsor Puratos, Ms Janse van Rensburg will soon head to Belgium for a week of training in Brussels, including visits to Puratos’ Sourdough Institute and Sourdough Library, as well as tours of Brussels’ best bakeries and patisseries, and the Chocolate Story museum.

Second place in the LA Judge competition went to Jacob Maddock from the Central Coast of New South Wales, who receives $1500 in cash.

Mr Maddock and the other four entrants in this year’s competition will all receive two days of training with Puratos in Sydney.

The LA Judge Award is hosted by AEGIC at its Sydney Pilot Bakery.

Retiring LA Judge Award Director Ken Quail applauded every competitor for the commitment and creativity they brought to the bakery floor.

“The way they tackle this demanding competition and still support one another is inspiring,” Dr Quail said.

“Each finalist leaves with sharper skills, improved confidence and industry connections that will help them as they move forward in their careers; they should all be proud.”

Competition organiser and AEGIC baking scientist Sabrina Lim said the LA Judge Award was a rare chance for young bakers to be exposed to new skills, knowledge and ingredients.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the competitors to be mentored by highly experienced industry judges,” Ms Lim said.

“The knowledge transfer between the judges and competitors and vice versa as they work closely over the three days is invaluable.”

The 2025 judges were: Michael Prowse of Allied Pinnacle; Cary Burnett from the William Angliss Institute, and former LA Judge Award winner Lindsay Weber of Homestyle and Gold Coast Bakeries.

The 2025 event was a special one as the industry farewelled long-time LA Judge Award Director Dr Ken Quail, who has retired after dedicating 34 years to AEGIC’s Sydney operations (formerly BRI Australia).

Since its inception, the LA Judge Award has helped emerging bakers sharpen their craft while strengthening links between the baking and grain industries.

2025 competitors

• Delmari Janse van Rensburg – New World Rolleston, NZ;
• Jacob Maddock – Brown Sugar Bakery, Forresters Beach, NSW;
• Patrick French – Elizabeth Town Café Bakery, Tasmania;
• Tobey Cooper – Lawnton Country Markets Bakery, Queensland;
• Caleb Braszell – Blanc Bakery, Berwick, Victoria; and,
• Patcharapha Pitjawong – Coles Belmont, Western Australia.

Source: AEGIC