Brighton friends Heidi Hoynk and Vanessa Gibson are preparing for another competitive show baking season, with the pair set to put their best recipes to the test at this month’s Ekka.
Long-time baking enthusiasts, the friends found success at the Pine Rivers Show before taking on Queensland’s biggest agricultural show, where they now enjoy a friendly rivalry.
Heidi said she was inspired to start entering competitions after seeing the Gibson family’s success.
“Every year Vanessa and her mum seem to win, so naturally my mission is to knock them off their perch!” she joked.
Vanessa has entered the Ekka every year since 2011.
“Heidi and I have always loved talking baking and sharing recipes, so when she started entering as well, we always shared war stories,” Vanessa said.
“Although baking is a fun and relaxing hobby, it’s surprisingly stressful baking for show entries, as everything has to be perfect – evenly cooked, minimal cracks, perfectly lined tins… and so on!”
A Family Affair of Baking Success
Red velvet cupcakes have been Vanessa’s most successful entry, winning multiple first-place awards.
This year, Heidi will enter her carrot cake, a recipe inspired by her own, Vanessa’s and Vanessa’s mum’s recipes.
“It’s fiercely competitive and I love the challenge,” Heidi said. “There’s one old gentleman who wins everything at the Ekka and he’s also my arch nemesis.”
Vanessa will again enter her red velvet cupcakes and resubmit a caramel slice after missing out on a prize last year.
“And also banana cake – because every year I try to enter something new that I haven’t done before, just to mix it up!” she said
The families have also embraced the tradition, with both women’s children entering junior baking categories.
“We’re definitely an award-winning family,” Heidi said. “Jack won first prize in his very first year. My carrot cake was second at last year’s Ekka. Abi has won chocolate cake, received highly commended for carrot cake and placed third with her relish. Harry, the baby of the family, is predicting his first win this year!”
Vanessa said it was impossible to predict how she would go each year.
“Show baking is not for the faint-hearted and sometimes I wonder why I keep doing it – but I just love the Ekka and can’t resist the opportunity to be part of something that’s fun and requires patience, discipline and a competitive spirit!” she said.
Heidi said she was “very determined to keep Ness on her toes” this year.
“The funny part is that every year Vanessa and I both obsessively refresh the results page, then message each other to celebrate or commiserate over the judges’ decisions,” she said. “It’s become one of my favourite parts of show baking and a lovely reminder of the friendships our community creates.”
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