Pastry captures hearts and taste buds for two consecutive years
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Australia's culinary landscape is a melting pot of diverse flavours and beloved classics, with one staple that holds a special place in many's hearts (and stomachs): the sausage roll.
Traditionally filled with seasoned sausage meat encased in flaky puff pastry, this iconic pastry has become a quintessential snack nationwide.
This year, Australia's best sausage roll accolade has been awarded again to Banana Boogie Bakery in Belair, South Australia, at the Baking Association of Australia’s (BAA) South Australian Baking Show.
The Banana Boogie Bakery, a local gem known for its delectable pastries and friendly service, has proven its prowess in sausage roll-making for the second consecutive year.
The bakery's owner, Jason Spencer, and his team have mastered the delicate balance of flaky pastry and savoury filling that is the hallmark of a top-notch sausage roll.
Their victory was hard-fought, with only one point separating them from Rays Patisserie, the runner-up in Carseldane, Queensland.
‘We were just trialling a little bit thinner on the pastry and stuff just from the comments we got last year, and some of the things we changed the judges sort of said “don’t do that”,’ Spencer said.
‘So we’ll go back to the way we were doing it.’
The competition was intense, with 49 bakeries nationwide entering 274 sausage rolls for judgement.
Last year's comments prompted the bakery to experiment with a thinner pastry, a move that the judges ultimately advised against.
Spencer has taken this on board, vowing to return to the original recipe that has brought them so much success.
The judges were particularly impressed with the pastry component of Banana Boogie's sausage roll, with the head judge praising its impeccable quality.
‘The head judge at the end of the night said, “Your pastry is just impeccable.” It was like he couldn’t fault it,’ Spencer said.
‘He said, “Your pastry got you over the line this year”.’
The sausage roll's 'neutral flavour' was also highlighted, with BAA executive officer Tony Smith noting the balanced taste that wasn't overpowered by salt, onion, or other ingredients.
‘Their meat filling was smooth and not dry, and the flavour was what we call neutral/balanced,’ he said.
‘This is to say that it wasn’t overpowered by salt or onion, etcetera.’
But the bakery's triumph didn't stop at sausage rolls. They also received awards for chocolate doughnuts, steak pie, light rye bread, and vanilla slices.
Their winning vanilla slice even outperformed the entry from Victoria’s North End Bakehouse, the reigning champion of the annual Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph.
‘We’re crossing our fingers that we can actually win the (Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph) this year too,’ Spencer hoped.
The event is scheduled for 17 August.
Similarly, North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, Victoria, clinched the top spot at The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph last year.
Matt Aylett from the bakery attributed their success to flawless custard, crispy pastry, and glossy icing, achieved through 17 years of dedicated practice. Read more about their achievement here.
Have you tried the award-winning sausage roll from Banana Boogie Bakery, or do you have another favourite bakery that deserves a shout-out? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Traditionally filled with seasoned sausage meat encased in flaky puff pastry, this iconic pastry has become a quintessential snack nationwide.
This year, Australia's best sausage roll accolade has been awarded again to Banana Boogie Bakery in Belair, South Australia, at the Baking Association of Australia’s (BAA) South Australian Baking Show.
The Banana Boogie Bakery, a local gem known for its delectable pastries and friendly service, has proven its prowess in sausage roll-making for the second consecutive year.
The bakery's owner, Jason Spencer, and his team have mastered the delicate balance of flaky pastry and savoury filling that is the hallmark of a top-notch sausage roll.
Banana Boogie Bakery won best sausage roll in Australia for the second year. Credit: Banana Boogie Bakery / Facebook
Their victory was hard-fought, with only one point separating them from Rays Patisserie, the runner-up in Carseldane, Queensland.
‘We were just trialling a little bit thinner on the pastry and stuff just from the comments we got last year, and some of the things we changed the judges sort of said “don’t do that”,’ Spencer said.
‘So we’ll go back to the way we were doing it.’
The competition was intense, with 49 bakeries nationwide entering 274 sausage rolls for judgement.
Last year's comments prompted the bakery to experiment with a thinner pastry, a move that the judges ultimately advised against.
Spencer has taken this on board, vowing to return to the original recipe that has brought them so much success.
The judges were particularly impressed with the pastry component of Banana Boogie's sausage roll, with the head judge praising its impeccable quality.
‘The head judge at the end of the night said, “Your pastry is just impeccable.” It was like he couldn’t fault it,’ Spencer said.
‘He said, “Your pastry got you over the line this year”.’
The sausage roll's 'neutral flavour' was also highlighted, with BAA executive officer Tony Smith noting the balanced taste that wasn't overpowered by salt, onion, or other ingredients.
‘Their meat filling was smooth and not dry, and the flavour was what we call neutral/balanced,’ he said.
‘This is to say that it wasn’t overpowered by salt or onion, etcetera.’
]Bakery owner Jason Spencer credited the recipe tweak for a near-win. Credit: Banana Boogie Bakery / Facebook
But the bakery's triumph didn't stop at sausage rolls. They also received awards for chocolate doughnuts, steak pie, light rye bread, and vanilla slices.
Their winning vanilla slice even outperformed the entry from Victoria’s North End Bakehouse, the reigning champion of the annual Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph.
‘We’re crossing our fingers that we can actually win the (Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph) this year too,’ Spencer hoped.
The event is scheduled for 17 August.
Similarly, North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, Victoria, clinched the top spot at The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph last year.
Matt Aylett from the bakery attributed their success to flawless custard, crispy pastry, and glossy icing, achieved through 17 years of dedicated practice. Read more about their achievement here.
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