The Kiwi Christmas Cake Competition

Christmas Cake Winners

A Domestic Section entry has received the highest honour for their sumptuous Christmas Cake and has been awarded Best in Show for the 2006 Kiwi Christmas Cake Competition, held in conjunction with the Royal New Zealand Show.

Now in its second year the Kiwi Christmas Cake Competition celebrates the achievements of the country’s commercial and domestic bakers, providing an opportunity for bakers to showcase their skills in the preparation of the traditional Christmas Cake.

54 entries were received across the two sections. In the Commercial Section a Gold Medal was awarded to Heart of Flavour from Auckland. Silver Medals were awarded to Oslers Bakery of Wairoa and Just Desserts, Christchurch. A Bronze Medal was given to Delish Fine Foods of Auckland.
 
Domestic winners were placed 1st to 6th with 1st place going to Colleen Donaldson of Taumarunui. Mrs Donaldson’s entry then went on the win Best in Show.

Judges where surprised with the outcome however their decision was unanimous, it was definitely the best cake of the day.

The judging panel included Zest Editor Kate Fraser, Crowne Plaza Chef Richard Hingston, CPIT Baking Tutor Marcus Braun, Bruno Falco of Hillyers Bakery and Canterbury A&P Association representative Jan McLean.

Entries were received from throughout New Zealand, with bakers both commercial and domestic eager to get involved. “We had several entrants who put two of their cakes in the competition, especially in the domestic section, they were definitely the more determined of the two sections”, commented competition Convenor Rae Finlay.  

All winning cakes were on display at the 2006 Royal New Zealand Show in the Food & Wine NZ Pavilion, a popular area for ‘foodies’ and Show visitors.

2006 Kiwi Christmas Cake Competition Results