Celebrating WA’s Best at the 2025 Baking Industry Awards

The Crown Ballroom in Perth was transformed from a place of high heels and black ties into a celebration of flour, flavour, and baking brilliance. The 2025 WA Baking Industry Awards brought together Western Australia’s baking scene, from artisan bakers to up-and-coming apprentices, for a night of recognition.

Run by the Baking Industry Employers Association WA (BIEAWA), these awards are among the state’s most prestigious events for bakers. With entries pouring in from across WA, the competition honours excellence, craftsmanship, and dedication to the art of baking.

 

Honouring Industry Legends

This year’s event paid tribute to the rich history of WA baking through two major awards: the AG (Tony) Noonan Apprentice of the Year and the brand-new Karel van Styn Baking Excellence Award.

The inaugural Baking Excellence Award went to David Palmer of Miami Bakehouse, recognising over 20 years of contribution to the industry. Karel van Styn, a legendary part of WA’s baking industry and long-time BIEAWA President, praised David’s dedication to quality training:

“The future of the industry lies in the development and training of apprentices. David has done a fantastic job for so many years, delivering specialised training and driving innovation within the Miami team. Miami Bakehouse has produced outstanding bakers and pastry cooks who have gone on to build rewarding and interesting careers.”

David was both surprised and humbled by the award:

“The WA Baking Industry competition is such a valuable opportunity for our team to further refine their skills. And of course, the ultimate winners are our customers, who get to enjoy the results of their artisan work. We’re tremendously proud of our team and love what we do.”

Miami Bakehouse’s Winning Night

The Miami Bakehouse team collected multiple awards across a variety of food/baking categories, including cakes, bread, and savoury products.

Gold medals were awarded for:

Traditional Anzac Biscuits

Apple Slice

Chicken Curry Pies

Vienna Loaf by final-year apprentice Jacob Gates

 

Why It Matters for Our Customers

Every award is more than just a medal. It’s a reflection of the care, time, and skill that goes into every loaf, pie, and slice you see in our cabinets.

So next time you bite into a flaky Chicken Curry Pie or enjoy the sweet comfort of an Apple Slice, know that you’re tasting the same quality that wowed the judges.