Latest news with #NicolaEllis
Perth Now
05-08-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Young baker brings home the dough
Mandurah apprentice baker Nicola Ellis, 19, is making her mark on the pastry world after taking home two prizes at this year's Perth Royal Food Awards. As a second-year apprentice at the well-known and multi-award winning Miami Bakehouse, Ms Ellis has claimed top honours for Most Successful Apprentice Exhibitor for the second year in a row and this year was also crowned Champion Loaf Exhibited by an Apprentice. Miami Bakehouse apprentice Nicola Ellis. Credit: Supplied Ms Ellis said she had always loved baking and joining the industry had been a great way to better her skills and learn what it takes to be one of the greats. She credits the competition experience for helping her grow both professionally and personally. 'Competing has taught me how to work well under pressure and adapt quickly,' she said. 'It's helped me build confidence and has given me the chance to find something I'm really good at.' Miami Bakehouse co-owner David Palmer said Ms Ellis' dedication, consistency and willingness to learn made her a standout young talent with a bright future ahead of her. 'Competitions like the Perth Royal Food Awards are a great reminder of just how much craft, care and creativity goes into what the Miami Bakehouse team does every day,' he said.
Perth Now
25-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Popular WA bakery named most successful pastry exhibitor
Miami Bakehouse has risen to the top and swept the field at the 2025 Perth Royal Bread and Pastry Awards. The top crust Mandurah bakery was named the most successful pastry exhibitor and awarded four gold medals. Miami Bakehouse also took home the champion commercial bread title. Apprentice Nicola Ellis was awarded the most successful apprentice exhibitor and champion loaf exhibited by an apprentice for her standout Vienna loaf. Co-owner of Miami Bakehouse David Palmer said he was incredibly proud of the bakery team. 'Not just for the awards but for the dedication they show behind the scenes,' he said. 'Every competition is a chance to refine our recipes and baking techniques, which means our customers are the real winners because this learning ends up in the recipes and products our customers enjoy every day. Judge Oliver Pownall of Millers Foods and David Palmer, Co-owner Miami Bakehouse Credit: Supplied 'Nicola's awards are well deserved. Seeing a young apprentice earn top recognition so early in their career is exactly why we invest in hands-on training - it leads to moments like this.' The awards were held on July 23 at Claremont Showground and celebrated excellence in craftsmanship, flavour, and baking innovation. This year's competition attracted 109 entries from WA, with every product blind judged by an independent panel of six expert judges. Entries were assessed on taste, texture, aroma, and presentation, ensuring a fair and rigorous evaluation process. Head Judge, Pastry Chef, Bread Baker, Chocolatier and Food Tech Amy Sajinovic praised the standard of entries. 'We saw exceptional quality across all categories this year, with bakers delivering both technical excellence and creative flair,' she said. 'It's inspiring to see such a strong commitment to craftsmanship and innovation within WA's baking community. The addition of new classes brought fresh energy to the judging panel and some standout entries we won't forget.'
