ENTRIES NOW OPEN – Baking NZ Artisan Bread Competition
Fine Food Show 2025 – Auckland
Do you have the Best Artisan Bread in New Zealand? It’s time to put your loaves on the line. Read over our entry rules below and then fill out the registration form to enter.
Key Entry Info:
- Registration closes on Thursday, 26 June 2025
- All entries must be received at the Baking New Zealand Stall at Fine Food Auckland 2025 between 9am-3pm, Monday 30th of June OR from 9am-11am, Tuesday 1st of July.
- Judging will start at 12pm Tuesday, 1st of July
Entry Rules:
- One entry per bakery.
- Open to any artisan-style bread: white, wholemeal, seeded, rye, or mixed flours; sourdough or yeasted.
- Final baked loaf weight must be between 750g and 1000g.
- No sweet, filled, or decorative breads.
- Bread must be baked by the entering bakery in New Zealand.
- Submit two full loaves: one for judging (slicing), one for display.
- Include a printed A5 description card with:
• Bread name (e.g. Sprouted Spelt Sourdough)
• Ingredients
• Fermentation method (e.g. sourdough, yeast, or hybrid)
• Short product description or inspiration - No bakery name, logo, or identifying marks on the card or bread.
- Registration closes on Thursday, 26 June 2025
- All entries must be received at Fine Food Auckland 2025 between 9am-3pm, Monday 30th of June OR from 9am-11am, Tuesday 1st of July.
Judging Criteria (100 Points Total):
- Appearance (15 pts): Shape, scoring, crust colour. No decorative elements.
- Bake & Crust (20 pts): Even bake, caramelised crust, no underbaking.
- Crumb Structure (20 pts): Open/even crumb, good fermentation and hydration.
- Aroma & Flavour (35 pts): Depth, balance, clean finish.
- Technical Skill (10 pts): Execution, shaping, use of flour types, and difficulty.
Clarification – No Decorative Breads:
- Not allowed: shaped loaves (animals, symbols), decorative scoring, painted or coloured designs.
- Allowed: traditional shapes (round, loaf, batard), functional scoring, light flour dusting.
- Judging will focus on bake quality, flavour, and skill — not art.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: One full pallet of Champion Beta Flour, Trophy, and Award Certificate
- 2nd & 3rd Place: Award Certificates
- Top 10 artisan breads will be ranked and recognised.
- Judging is conducted blind by respected industry professionals.