Less than a year into her apprenticeship, Adelaide baker Lauren Govender is already tasting success, winning a major industry competition.

Lauren (pictured in green jacket), 18, is the country’s top apprentice pastry chef, taking out the title at the 2025 Bake Skills National Championship in Sydney.

The demanding three-day competition tests proficiency and creativity, with participants required to make a range of cakes, desserts and pastry products within a set time.

Lauren, who works at Banana Boogie Bakery and studies a Certificate III in Baking at TAFE SA, quickly overcame her nerves to produce an array of sweet treats including a baked cheesecake, eclairs, shortcrust tarts and mille feuille.

“I was so excited to win the award. I signed up to the competition because I thought it would be fun – and it was – but it was also a lot of work,” she says.

“It’s great that the competition focuses on apprentices. It gives you more sense of pride in your own work.”

Lauren says the competition gave her the opportunity to meet others from the industry, make a diverse range of products and get creative, especially with flavour combinations and a specialty cake with ‘our planet’ as the theme.

“Time management was the biggest challenge for me and having to adjust when things didn’t go to plan. It’s quite a puzzle to work out how to fit everything into the timeframe,” she says.

Lauren worked at Banana Boogie for six months before signing on for an apprenticeship at the beginning of the year.

She credits her employers, Jason and Kelly Spencer, with fostering confidence and a sense of creativity in her work.

“We’re encouraged to try different things and as a team we create awesome products,” she says.

“All of our products are great, but my favourites are the cakes. I love experimenting with different flavours for our vanilla slices.”

In the lead up to the competition, Lauren also spent extra time at TAFE SA’s Regency Campus to refine some of her techniques.

“I love it at TAFE. I feel I can ask lots of questions and the lecturers are always ready to help,” she says.

As the 2025 Bake Skills Australia National Pastry Chef, Lauren receives a trophy and a study trip to Europe.

Apprentice baker Nathan Bouchier, who studies at TAFE SA and works at Bakers Delight, won the bread category of the national competition and will also travel to Europe.