Last weekend, while many Aussies made the trek to see Taylor Swift mash up surprise songs in Sydney, others drove down to Bendigo for the Baking Association of Australia’s Victoria Baking Show. The Association crowned winners in categories ranging from best ciabatta loaf to best fruit flan and best “white fancy rolls” (a category that includes rolls shaped like horseshoes, or elaborately knotted).

But the weekend’s big prizes – the Baking Association’s equivalent of Album of the Year at the Grammys or Best Picture at the Oscars – are Australia’s Best Hot Cross Bun and Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice.

After judging a record number of entries from over 130 bakeries in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, Matt Aylett of North End Bakehouse in Shepparton took home the awards for both Australia’s Best Hot Cross Bun and Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice in an Everything Everywhere All at Once-like sweep,

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With the double win, Aylett has made Baking Association history, as the two top prizes have not previously been awarded to the same entrant. This is the second year in a row that North End Bakehouse has taken home the gold for the country’s best vanilla slice. And while the bakery missed out on a prize for its traditional hot cross buns last year after winning in 2021 and 2022, it returned to form with a vengeance this year.

See the full list of winners here.