Whole lot of baking going on

The Lounge at Sydney Showground has undergone a makeover and re-opened as the Lounge Bakery, serving a brand-new and exciting range of food and beverages including Sydney Royal medal-winning bakery items. The new menu choices include more than 30 pies and pastries, and a handy take-home range suitable for family meals or business catering.

The Professional Bakery Competition in the Sydney Royal Summer Fine Food Show was established in 1995 and welcomes entries in 22 classes of bread, 17 classes of cake, 10 classes of biscuit and 10 classes of pastry. Opening this year on 12 October, the finest judges are recruited from all over Australia to assess muffins, artisan bread, plain pies, white bread, gateaux, biscuits and so much more. There is even a series of apprentice/student classes to encourage less-experienced bakers to enter and refine their skills.

More Sydney Royal medal-winning bakery items could make their way behind the counter in the Lounge Bakery so it is well worth dropping in for a quick bite to eat during major events or a lunch break.

Gold Medal winners from the Professional Bakery Competitions over the past few years include Brasserie Bread for their Sourdough Batard, Strawberry Fields Patisserie Custard Tart, Mick’s Bakery Chicken Cranberry & Camembert Pie, Black Star Pastry Croissant, The Gumnut Patisserie Traditional Vanilla Slice, Itha's Puddings & Gourmet Foods Triple Chocolate Pudding, The Graff Caff Vegan Oven Roast Pumpkin Coriander & Chickpea Pie, Bite Size Group Oven Roasted Bruschetta Bites and Cookie Crazy Chocolate Gluten & Dairy Free Decorated Cookie.