Australia’s First Bite at the World Cup of Viennoiserie
About the team
Paula Nikita is a Melbourne pastry chef at Reverie, mentored daily by award-winning French-Australian pastry chef Pierrick Boyer. Born in Indonesia, Paula trained in design, moved to Australia in 2017, and chose pastry as her life’s work. In November 2025, she will represent Australia at the inaugural World Cup of Viennoiserie in Vannes, France. Pierrick will judge other contestants in Vannes while guiding Paula’s preparation.
Why this matters
Australia is one of 12 nations invited. Funding Paula puts Australian craft on a global stage, strengthens local viennoiserie skills, and brings learning home to young pastry cooks and our broader community.
The main struggle to reach this dream is sourcing international ingredients and production in France.
Funding plan with timeline
- Sept to early Oct 2025: Intensive training blocks at Reverie. Budget 20% for kitchen time, practice bakes and test runs.
- Oct 2025. Ingredient development, sourcing and freight from Australia to France. Budget 30% to secure consistent flavour and performance.
- Early Nov 2025. Travel and accommodation in Vannes for calibration and final practice. Budget 35%.
- 8 to 11 Nov 2025. Competition registrations, local transport and on-site logistics to, Vannes, France. Budget 20%.
- Contingency. Budget 5% for price shifts or unavoidable extras.
Any surplus will fund a free skills session in Melbourne to share techniques and insights gathered in France.
Updates and thanks
Supporters will receive regular training and travel updates, competition results, and a post-campaign cost summary.
Supporters can also support and meet Paula and Pierrick by coming to a farewell party at Reverie Cafe, Prahran, in Melbourne. This party will get the community together to celebrate the creative venture and cater with an exclusive Indo-French food menu and a thank-you gathering.
Your contribution helps an Australian pastry chef compete on the world stage and brings that knowledge straight back to Melbourne.
Organizer
Pierrick Boyer
Organizer
Prahran, VIC