The bakery defended its 2018 title in Mildura on Saturday claiming first prize in the professional category ahead of Shepparton's North End Bakehouse and the Golden Nugget Bakery in Ballarat.

"We're very excited and very proud," bakehouse manager Rob Bayliff said. "We've worked very hard for this.

Read more: Bridgewater Bakery wins Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph

"It's a very prestigious award and it certainly results in a lot of foot traffic which is great."

The Eaglehawk Bakery also took out second place in the innovation category for their Golden Gaytime vanilla slice.

"It's wonderful, we're just elated," manager Judy Johns said. "We go into it every year and we were lucky to strike second place with the Golden Gaytime.

"It's been a hit with the customers and winning the award is just good for business."

Elmore first-year apprentice baker Sam Billett also placed third in the apprentice category at the national competition.

"He does a lot of bread and some cakes," owner and baker Travis Wilson said. "He has only made four or five vanilla slices so he's done really well to get an award.

"We're all so proud of him and we're really excited."

The Elmore Bakery has been going to the competition for the past five years, with Linette Moore winning first place in the apprentice category last year.

"We definitely try to improve every year and always try to do different things," Mr Wilson said.

"We tried the innovation category this year with the sticky date vanilla slice. We didn't place in that category but the customers are enjoying it.

"We also always participate in the traditional category. We've been working on the vanilla slice for a while and so it's good to see we're up there with the best.

"It's a good judge to see where our product is at."

Cob Bakery Kyneton was also recognised at the national competition, coming second in the apprentice category and third in the innovation category.

They were the only bakery to win two awards at the event.

The Kyneton bakery will also be heading to the Great Aussie Pie Competition in Sydney next month.

They are entering the categories of best plain pie and sausage roll, as well as creating eight new flavours - including smokey barbecue whisky pork and Thai curry seafood - for the competition.

The Elmore Bakery will also be heading to Sydney next month for the pie competition.

"We'll be trying more innovation," Mr Wilson said. "We're really excited to try out our tandoori goat pie and the smoked beef brisket pie.

"We're still tweaking with the recipe and trying to get the right flavours. Hopefully we can do well."

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