A Milton CWA baker has returned with multiple ribbons including a first-placed prize after entering seven cakes in the non-perishable cooking section at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
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Jo Holt of Ulladulla was awarded a blue ribbon for her simnel cake - a light fruitcake eaten during the pre-Easter period of some United Kingdom countries.
Ms Holt was also awarded second in the sultana cake category, third in the sienna cake and rich fruit cake categories and nabbed a highly commended for her American fruit cake.
She said she was "really pleased" with her results from this year's entries.
"The Sydney show I have found is always a tough competition to be able to win at, so getting five cards for the seven entries I had in was a great result."
Ms Holt said she loves to enter for the competition and trying to achieve her best. She has entered the Sydney Show six times over the past 10 years and has nabbed three first places, four second places, five third places and six highly commended awards.
She has also entered show since 1995 and has managed to win prizes at Melbourne Royal, Canberra Royal along with lots of country shows such as Albury, Wodonga, Queanbeyan, Milton and Wangaratta.
Ms Holt operates Sweetwood Cakes, which allows her to be creative in the kitchen.
"I have been doing cake decorating for nearly 40 years as a hobby which I started with my mum when I was just 16," she said.
Ms Holt said she liked to have the entries ready, at least month prior to the show. Contestants can drop them off a few weeks prior.
"The cakes in this section take a lot of preparation to ensure the fruit is all even," she said.
"Basically all the dried fruit is cut to the size of the currants, with the exception of the American Fruit Cake. There was certainly a lot of hours cutting up fruit for this years competition."
However, the preparation has been made easier with "cake room" incorporated into her home.
"I have certainly made the most of it and think I already need to expand."
The baker was joined by her daughter and grandchildren when they visited the show. She was also able to work for a stint in the CWA tearooms.
"It was certainly a busy afternoon but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I hope to be able to do a few more at next years show."
