Baker’s Dozen

Rising from the ovens of the state’s most extraordinary bakeries, Baker’s Dozen, presented by McKenzie’s, returns for a fourth year. And like a sourdough loaf growing high in a Scotch oven, in 2026, we’re expanding everyone’s favourite celebration of caking and baking – we’ve got way more bakers, plus some fantastic guests from interstate and overseas.

Who’s coming? Helen Goh is in the house! The sweets boss of the Ottolenghi empire and celebrated author is here from London to lead the charge, and she’s collaborating with the unstoppable Mietta by Rosemary to offer you a one-of-a-kind taste of her best bakes.

New York Filipina baking star Abi Balingit is also here rocking the collab, getting together with Bayswater baking legends Dröm to bust out some tasty Pinay pastry moves you’re going to want to get around.

You’ll also see great new treats from new and returning local heroes including Akimbo, Amann Patisserie, Antara 128, Baker of Things, Butter Days, Calle Bakery, The Flour Melbourne, Hector’s Bakery, Kudo, Iris, Lt Cardigan, Lulu and Me, Lumos, Lune, Madeleine De Proust, Masses Bagels, Monforte Viennoiserie, Morning Market, Raya, Sebby’s Scrolls. Tarts Anon and To Be Frank, plus some more amazing reinforcements from out of town – straight outta Gippsland, The Invy Baker, teaming up with Michael and Pippa James's new Urbanstead, as well as (hang on to your bannetons) the hottest bread crew in Sydney, A.P Bakery, partnering with Oji House.

It wouldn’t be autumn, meanwhile, without hot cross buns, and you’ll find every bun worth its butter at the Hot Cross Bun Bar, presented by Western Star. At the Bun Bar, you’ll have the chance to try four different bakers' takes on the classic, with Bread Club, Loafer and Wild Life Bakery all coming to the party, hot and cross. Would you like us to assign someone to butter your bun? Leave it to the Butter Butlers, suited, booted condiment concierges that live to spread. Now that’s what we call cultured butter. 

Melbourne’s favourite food and drink personalities will be holding it down on the Festival Stage, presented by McKenzie’s, the whole morning. There’ll be demonstrations, there’ll be entertainment, there’ll be giveaways galore and there will be a whole lot of homegrown good times. If you'd like to get a cuppa happening, too, our friends from Dilmah will be on hand doing great things with tea, offering tastings of their iced teas and Elixir mocktails.

It's on from 10am to 3pm Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March. See you at Fed Square for this epic final weekend of the 2026 Festival.