Canungra baker Linda Ashton has clinched top honours at the South East Queensland Sub-Chamber Finals with her meticulously crafted Dark Rich Fruit Cake, earning her a coveted spot at the upcoming Ekka.
Mrs Ashton, who has been baking since childhood and is also a qualified show judge, won her place in the sub-chamber finals after taking first at the Canungra Show.
From there, she competed against regional winners from Beaudesert, the Gold Coast, Boonah and more.
“I didn’t think I’d won,” she said.
“There were five cakes and Marie Harvey, a senior CWA judge from Ipswich, took nearly an hour to judge them. When she called out cake number five, that was mine, it was a real shock and a very special moment.”
The judging criteria were strict: texture, fruit distribution, a flat top with no creases, and even a natural shine on the cake’s surface.
“It’s not just about taste,” Mrs Ashton said.
“The fruit has to be uniform in size, the batter can’t have air bubbles, and it’s all got to come together with the right baking temperature. It really is food science.”
With her cake now headed to the Ekka, Ashton is hopeful for more success – not just for herself, but for Canungra.
“If we win the state, it’ll be the first time anyone can remember Canungra taking the title,” she said.
“That would be such a proud moment for our little town.”
Mrs Ashton is passionate about passing the torch to younger generations as well.
“Baking is coming back among young people, which is great to see,” she said.
“My advice? Just practice. It’s a rewarding path if you stick with it and you will be keeping something truly Australian alive.”
She also leaves a little tip for anyone looking to bake the perfect the cake.
“Tap your cake tin to release air bubbles and don’t read the advice for baking in Woman’s Day,” she said.
“A fruit cake should be cooked slowly and at a low heat.”
The Ekka, Queensland’s largest annual event, attracts over 400,000 visitors and showcases more than 21,000 competition entries across various categories, including cookery, livestock, and arts.
The 2025 show is scheduled to run from August 9 to 17 at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
