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Vanilla slices on show

Vanilla slice recipes were put to the test on Saturday at the Warragul Farmer's Market 11th anniversary family fun fair. Home bakers were invited to show off their culinary skills and present their best vanilla slice to a panel of judges. Entries...

by The Gazette

Published November 19, 2024

Vanilla slices on show — About to undertake some serious taste testing are judges Andrew O'Hara, Rebecca Little, Steve Jones, David Antonio, Phil Conway and Luke Wallace.

The vanilla slice competition was a hit for judges and winners alike.
Back (L-R) judges Phil Conway, Luke Wallace, Steve Jones and David Antonie. Front (L-R) second place getter Kirsten Lewis, first place winners Charlee and Tracy Horne, third place getter Isaac Lynn, judge Rebecca Little and head judge Baking Association of Australia president Andrew O'Hara. Photo courtesy of Grant McKillop Photography. — The vanilla slice competition was a hit for judges and winners alike. Back (L-R) judges Phil Conway, Luke Wallace, Steve Jones and David Antonie. Front (L-R) second place getter Kirsten Lewis, first place winners Charlee and Tracy Horne, third place getter Isaac Lynn, judge Rebecca Little and head judge Baking Association of Australia president Andrew O'Hara. Photo courtesy of Grant McKillop Photography.

Vanilla slice recipes were put to the test on Saturday at the Warragul Farmer's Market 11th anniversary family fun fair.
Home bakers were invited to show off their culinary skills and present their best vanilla slice to a panel of judges.
Entries were judged on their initial volume and appearance, the quality of the pastry and custard filling, smoothness of the icing and the overall "mouth feel".
Leading the judging was Baking Association of Australia president Andrew O'Hara, alongside local dairy farmer Luke Wallace, Master Chef alum Phil Conway, Reverend Steve Jones, farmer David Antonie and influencer Rebecca Little.
With a box of Gippsland Jersey dairy products and a prize from String and Salt up for grabs for the winner, 16 bakers from West Gippsland and beyond entered their vanilla slices in the competition.
Coming in first place was Tracy Horne of Drouin, complimented for the quality of her pastry, light icing and well textured custard. Kirsten Lewis of Drouin followed in second place and Isaac Lynn of Warragul finished in third.

Updated November 01, 2025 10:31 am | 3 months ago