Cobram bakery Hungie Fangs has been awarded ‘Australia's Best Vanilla Slice’ for 2026.
Photo by
Abby Green
Delicious creamy custard sandwiched between two layers of buttery pastry and topped with divinely decadent icing, a vanilla slice is the perfect sweet treat.
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Cobram’s very own award-winning bakery, Hungie Fangs, has taken home the national title as ‘Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice’.
High school sweethearts Damien Gow and Lina Galati started Hungie Fangs from scratch in 2016.
The couple were both “shocked” when they found out they had won the national title out of 138 bakeries that entered from across the country.
“To be able to celebrate it and have our name read out with the whole team there, it was very emotional for us all,” Damien said.
“The team have done extremely well, and we're very, very proud of them.
“There were a fair few tears and a few heads in hands ... and then it was all smiles and celebrating with a few drinks.”
Damien has been baking for nearly 30 years and said simply it’s not “work” for him, but something he “loves” to do.
“I just love coming in here and creating new things and seeing the team blossom as they do,” he said.
Preyia Goundar and Damien Gow holding ‘Australia's Best Vanilla Slice’.
Photo by
Abby Green
Lina said it had taken a lot of work to get where they are now, but it’s been worth it.
“It's been a hard 10 years, but it’s gone very quick, and it’s been really rewarding,” she said.
Aside from winning the title of ‘Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice’, Hungie Fangs has won countless other awards over the years.
These include ‘Australia’s Best Game Pie’ in 2025 and the ‘National Cinnamon Doughnut Champions’ in 2022 and 2025.
Damien said they were “pretty proud” and grateful for their “dedicated” team.
“I can’t thank them enough,” he said.
“We really are a big family.”
Lina thanked the community and their customers for the endless support over the years.
“Without the local support of our community, we wouldn't be where we are today,” she said.
Leading up to Easter, with every two packs of vanilla slice sold, customers will go in the draw to win one of 10, $50 fuel vouchers as a “thank you” to the community for their support.
“As we all know, it’s tough times at the moment,” Damien said.
“We’d like to reward those that still come in and buy our products.”
Damien wouldn’t give away their secret recipe for ‘Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice’, but said it all came down to “good pastry and icing”.
“You want to bite into a vanilla slice and have it melt away in your mouth without a whole heap of chewing,” he said.
Hungie Fangs has been making more than 400 vanilla slices a day and selling out by almost 2.30pm, so if you want a delicious sweet treat, make sure to get in early.
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