The second annual Kiwi Kids Bake-Off has been revamped to enable even more budding Bay of Plenty bakers to get involved.

Last year 10 primary school-aged children whipped up entries during the inaugural event held during Flavours of Plenty.

This time, there’s space for up to 40 participants across two categories – cakes or cookies – with $900 worth of prizes sponsored by local businesses up for grabs.

Kids are encouraged to register for the competition quickly on the Flavours of Plenty website to avoid missing out.

To make entering the Kiwi Kids Bake-Off easier, this year’s competitors will have a box of local ingredients delivered to their home so they can bake in their own kitchen.

Competitors have this month to bake their entries, which need to be dropped at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology at Windermere between 10am-11am on May 2 for judging, with prizegiving and a fun fair event to start at 1pm.

“I’m excited that more people get to be involved this year,” said event organiser Heather Kalisch, who also runs an online baking club. “That means even more creativity on show.”

Kiwi Kids Bake-Off organiser Heather Kalisch, with her daughter Rebecca Kalisch, 6, wants kids to enter the Kiwi Kids Bake-Off. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Kalisch said judges would look at decorations and tiny details that help a cake stand out, as much as taste and texture.

They would take notice of entries that take in the festival theme ‘Push the Palate’ by getting creative with unique flavour combinations.

This year’s introduction of a cookie category would also come with its own challenges, Kalisch said.

“It’s more about using an interesting technique or making it look and taste delicious.”

It was Kalisch’s recollection of baking with her father and now her own young children that inspired her to launch a club for kids to learn skills in the kitchen called ‘Bake With Me’.

“That’s what I do – I help people have a positive experience in the kitchen.”

Kalisch said baking teaches many important skills to youngsters.

“It’s not just about making muffins – it’s maths, reading, learning to follow instructions and problem-solving when things don’t go as planned.”

As a result, she believed parents baking with their children should be “a core childhood memory” for all youngsters.

The Kiwi Kids Bake Off 2026 returns as part of the Flavours of Plenty Festival, which runs April 16-May 3. Enter at: https://flavoursofplentyfestival.com/flavour-event/kiwi-kids-bake-off-fair/

*Asher Wadsworth is a student at Media Design School studying Graphic Design at a graduate level.