Nestlé Professional and Cater Plus have crowned Tom Batten from Birthcare Auckland in Parnell as the 2026 Baker of the Year, following a highly competitive national Bake-Off final held in Auckland.
Now in its third year, the Cater Plus Bake-Off, delivered in partnership with Nestlé Professional, has grown into the organisation’s largest internal initiative, attracting more than 100 entries from team members across the country.
Finalists progressed through regional competitions held across the North, Central, Lower North, and South regions, before competing in a live grand final. Each finalist was challenged to create a standout baked item within a three-hour bake-off, showcasing both technical skill and creativity.
A key requirement of the competition was the use of at least one Nestlé product as a core ingredient. Competitors incorporated products such as NESTLÉ Docello mousses, desserts, protein-enriched desserts and chocolate into their creations, demonstrating innovative and practical applications for foodservice environments.
Entries were judged by a panel of Cater Plus and Nestlé Professional representatives against strict criteria, including creativity, taste, presentation, and adherence to guidelines. Judges assessed originality, innovative use of Nestlé products, flavour, texture, visual appeal, and overall execution.
Matt Shuker, Culinary and Innovation Lead at Cater Plus and one of the competition judges, said the standard of entries continues to lift each year.
“The level of skill and creativity on display in this year’s final was exceptional. What stood out was not just the technical execution, but the way competitors pushed themselves to create something innovative while still keeping it practical for service. It’s a real reflection of the talent we have across the business.”
Tom Batten’s winning creation, Hazelnut Praline Mousse Cake, stood out for its refined combination of balanced textures and flavours, and was of such a high standard that it would suit fine dining restaurants. Tom’s entry secured the top honour and coveted Baker of the Year Trophy.
Lauren Snell, Brand and Marketing Manager at Cater Plus, said the competition has grown significantly since its inception.
“The Bake-Off started as a way to bring our teams together and celebrate the talent we have across our sites, particularly in baking, which is such a big part of what we do day to day. Over the past three years, it has grown into something much bigger, with strong engagement across regions and a real sense of anticipation leading into the finals.”
She said the initiative continues to play an important role in building capability and culture across the business.
“It gives people something to be part of outside their day-to-day roles and creates a sense of pride in what they produce. It also builds confidence, encourages creativity and helps surface talent across the business.”
The Bake-Off reflects a long-standing partnership between Nestlé Professional and Cater Plus, which dates back to 2006. Together, the organisations have focused on driving innovation, supporting teams, and delivering high-quality food experiences across Cater Plus sites.
“Beyond recognising individual talent, the initiative plays a key role in enhancing menus and encouraging creativity across the business. By developing new recipes and approaches, participants contribute to improving customer experiences and raising standards across the sector,” Snell said.
For Nestlé Professional, the Bake-Off represents a commitment to customer-centric partnerships, working alongside Cater Plus not only to supply products, but to help create solutions that deliver long-term value.
Following another successful year, both organisations are already looking ahead, with plans to continue growing the competition and building on its success.
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