The 15th Confectioner Awards “Zuckerbäcker Award” once again provided an unparalleled platform for pastry chefs and apprentices to showcase their extraordinary skills and inspire admiration with their intricate works of edible art.

The highlight of the evening, the grand exhibition of the cake display in the Hofburg’s foyer, delighted guests as always. These magnificent creations - crafted with painstaking detail and artistic flair - never fail to leave the audience awestruck and their mouths watering.

Honorary Vice Consul Birgit Sarata was full of praise: “The award-winning cakes are true masterpieces - simply marvellous. Of course, tasting them is off-limits; otherwise, there’d be nothing left to admire!”

The Competition

Judging was conducted anonymously, with candidates identified solely by their participant numbers. The jury assessed submissions based on adherence to the theme, creativity, craftsmanship, interpretation of the “Jungle” theme, and overall complexity of the piece.

Participants, both professional pastry chefs and apprentices, were tasked with creating showpieces using edible materials of any colour. Each cake was required to stand between 40 and 100 cm tall, with a maximum base area of 50 x 50 cm.

Dr. Kurt Schebesta, the event’s organizer, emphasized: “The Zuckerbäcker Award is a magnificent opportunity to present the artistry of pastry-making to a wider audience.”

The Winners

During the midnight performance in the grand ballroom of the Hofburg, the winners were announced, and the prestigious titles awarded. The victorious apprentice now holds the title of “Vienna Junior Cakemaster 2025,” while the winning pastry chef enjoys the honour of “Vienna Cakemaster 2025.”

Anna Heidenreich of Vienna’s Kurkonditorei Oberlaa emerged triumphant in the 15th Zuckerbäcker Award. Her journey began in 2019 when she debuted in the apprentice competition with her stunning toucan-themed torte for “The World of Animals,” winning first place. After securing second place in 2023 with her creation for “The Realm of Plants and Flowers,” she has now returned victorious. Her exquisite jungle-themed torte dazzled the jury, leaving even her accomplished rival, Anna Saurer, behind. Heidenreich, now back at Kurkonditorei Oberlaa, is the proud holder of the title “Vienna Cakemaster 2025.”

Anna Saurer from Vienna’s Café Central, the winner of the last two years, remains a towering figure among pastry artists. She claimed victory in 2023 with a botanical masterpiece for “The Realm of Plants and Flowers” and again in 2024 with an underwater-themed marvel for “Underwater World - Life in the Sea.” This year’s second-place finish only reaffirms her exceptional talent, her precision, and her enduring passion for detail.

Rosalie Gürtler of the Tulln Care and Support Center continued her streak of excellence, securing third place yet again. Following podium finishes in 2023 and 2024, her consistency and devotion to her craft remain unparalleled. A former competitor in the apprentice category, Gürtler initially won second place in 2020 with a whimsical comic-themed torte while representing Vienna’s Landtmann Patisserie.

Rising Stars

The apprentice competition shone brightly with remarkable talent this year. Yvonne Schambeck of Kurkonditorei Oberlaa claimed the title “Vienna Junior Cakemaster 2025” with her exquisite entry. Lara Mair of Café Central secured a strong second place, while Anica Wagner, also of Kurkonditorei Oberlaa, completed the podium, cementing the bakery’s reputation for exceptional mentorship.