Compete in the Threatened Species Bake Off

The National threatened species bake-off has been running annually since 2017 and is organized by the Office of the Threatened species Commissioner. Hundreds of Australians have participated, testing out their baking skills whether they are novice or expert, and learnt more about threatened species and their habitats along the way.

Bakers can choose to make a cake in the shape of any threatened species or threatened ecosystem that occurs in Australia or take inspiration from a threatened species that occurs locally in Bellingen Shire.

Entrance categories:

Under 15s

Open community

Volunteer groups, local businesses, schools or organizations

Amazing ecology-based prizes will be up for grabs and a free native plant from Boggy creek will be given to each baker

We ask that all bakers follow Food standards Australia and New Zealand and can list ingredients or notify or any allergens when dropping off the cake for the event. An ingredient and entry form will be available on the day of the event.

The bake-off is scheduled for Monday September 7th (also National Threatened species day)

Participants will need to drop their cakes to the Memorial Hall studio between 8.00am-9.30am on the day

ONLY complete this form if you are registering to enter the competition.

All community members are invited to attend the event, not just those baking a cake.

Please follow the link below if you are looking to attend the event without baking a cake:

Attend the Threatened Species Bake Off

Not sure what Threatened Species to replicate?

There are plenty of online resources for you to find inspiration in:

• Threatened Species Bake Off - Past Entries

• Threatened species under the EPBC Act

Prizes:

Open community-

1st prize –'Forest Voices' Bird language retreat at Mount Hyland with Andrew Turbill (valued at $695)

2nd prize- Whale watching tour gift certificate with Jetty dive $180

3rd prize- Alternative book store gift voucher $50

Under 15s

1st prize- Bellingen canoe adventures- guided tour for one adult and one child (under 15 years) $106.00

2nd prize- 1 x Kids club gift voucher to Tree tops adventure park Coffs Harbour $64

3rd prize - $50 weave gift voucher

Volunteer groups, local businesses, schools or organizations

Local artwork

Threatened species bake-off competition guidelines and conditions of entry:

•  Register for the event as a baker

• Bakers should follow food safe practices in their home kitchen, including:

• Clean and sanitize work surfaces before and after use

• Clean utensils, cutting boards, and dishes with hot, soapy water to avoid cross-contamination and bacterial growth prior to use

• Ensure personal hygiene practices are followed- ie. wash hands for 20 seconds before handling food and wear gloves when necessary

• Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from other foods. Use separate cutting boards for different food types

• Cooking food to the correct internal temperature kills harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to ensure meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products reach safe minimum temperatures. Eggs should be cooked until both yolk and white are firm

• Follow safe storage procedures and store food in clean, covered, food-grade containers. cool cakes where necessary during transportation

• Bakers will be required to label and list their ingredients on the day, including all allergens (ingredients cards will be available on the day)

• Bakers will need to fit the criteria of the category they are entering in on the day

• Entrance categories:

  Under 15s

  Open community

  Volunteer groups, local businesses, schools or organizations

• Winners will be decided through a 'communities choice' vote system on the day

For more food safety information:

Food Safety in Baking: The Australian Baker’s Guide – BakeFinder