The Great Australian Bake Off is back for a ninth season! British culinary icon Rachel Khoo and Aussie pastry king Darren Purchese return as judges.
Comedian Tom Walker joins Natalie Tran as the new co-host of GABO following Cal Wilson’s death in 2023. Tom described Cal as “the brightest person in any room” and mentioned that she helped him when he was starting out on the comedy scene. He said, “Like all of us, Cal loved this job. It’s important to me to genuinely care about the people on set, the bakers who are trusting us to present them in the brightest and best light and the talented crew who make the impossible happen. More important to me is how to honour Cal in real life. She was an inspiration in how she magically seemed to have enough time for everyone, and enough space in that whirring fast magical mind of hers to keep everything about the people she cared about fixed and sparkling and detailed. Love you Cal.”
Anirban Chanda
age: 38
job: senior knowledge manager
https://www.instagram.com/anotherwhisk
With roots in Bengal, India’s capital of desserts, Anirban has always been a fan of desserts. As a self-taught baker, he has a passion for pâtisserie, especially delicately layered entremets. His fondest food memories include travelling with his partner, where they try a variety of cuisines.
Aysha Moulton
age: 32
job: production coordinator
https://www.instagram.com/aysha_moulton
Aysha was born in the Solomon Islands and now lives in Brisbane with her husband and two boys. Many of her recipes draw on her memories of the Solomon Islands and have been passed down through her family. Her grandmother was also a baking mentor for her. Her speciality? Decorated cakes with flair!
Beth Hoy
age: 37
job: pastor
https://www.instagram.com/hoy_beth
https://www.instagram.com/ohbhoyfood
Growing up, Beth adored baking with her Nan and continues to share her love for it with her three young children. As a pastor, she loves baking goods for her church community. Not only that, she’s also a proud gardener!
Brian Rooney
age: 51
job: stay at home dad
https://www.instagram.com/evaspatisserie
While Brian grew up in Cronulla, he now lives on the Central Coast with his wife and teenage daughter. A lover of flavours and textures, he is a fan of crafting intricate desserts. His passion for baking and pâtisserie was sparked in the 90s.
Erik Newcomb
age: 43
job: e-commerce director
https://www.instagram.com/enewc2
Erik has called Australia home for 10 years, after moving from Michigan, and lives happily in Manly with his dog, Duke. His Polish grandmother inspired his passion for baking, where they made spectacular decorations with lots of piping, chocolate and sculptural details. Ready to enter the tent, he’s keen to embrace any challenge.
Gregson Gastar
age: 44
job: hairdresser
https://www.instagram.com/gregsoncooks
Gregson has been baking since he was nine years old, and often bakes five times a week! Born in the Philippines, he loves to include his heritage in his bakes, especially his Pandan chiffon cake. Along with baking, Gregson gets creative by styling hair, photography, dancing and creating new recipes.
Jai Johns
age: 28
job: barista
https://www.instagram.com/betternow_bakes
Jai lives with their fiancée in Melbourne, and their love of baking began during lockdown. As a passionate vegan, Jai loves the challenge of including adventure and flavour in their bakes. When it comes to inspiration, they love drawing on French techniques, with Asian and Middle Eastern flavours.
Jess Synon
age: 31
job: business analyst
https://www.instagram.com/jess.bakes.pastries
Jess calls Melbourne home with her husband and their one-year-old daughter, Hazel. “Obsessed” with perfecting her pastry skills, she works on her techniques until she masters them. With an Australian father and a Dutch and Maltese mother, Jess takes inspiration from her heritage in the kitchen. Aside from baking, she is also a power lifter.
Kelarnie Whalen
age: 22
job: recruitment consultant
https://www.instagram.com/kelarniewhalen
Originally from Canberra, Kelarnie now lives in Brisbane with her four best friends. Her earliest baking memories include baking muffins with her mum as a child, and in her family, she is in charge of the sweets. When it comes to her baking, she’s not afraid to push the boundaries with flavours and also loves getting tips from social media.
Tatiana Markovic
age: 55
job: nurse
https://www.instagram.com/tatiana.creates
Born in Serbia, Tatiana moved to Australia when she was four. Her love of baking is based around community and connection, and she loves sharing her dishes with other nurses. The ambitious baker has been married for 34 years, and lives with her husband and dog, Oreo, on the NSW South Coast.
Vanessa Furci
age: 34
job: oncology nurse
https://www.instagram.com/vanessa_furci
https://www.instagram.com/isitworththespace
Vanessa’s earliest memories of baking were with her late Nonna, with whom she was very close. As an Italian, her life revolves around food and connecting with others. When it comes to baking, Vanessa loves a challenge, particularly enjoying the craft of making intricate decorations.
Wesley Mitton
age: 37
job: digital e-commerce director
https://www.instagram.com/wezleem
https://www.instagram.com/daddybakes.co
Wesley lives with his husband and is a part-time carer for his mother-in-law. His love of baking started as a child, where he would spend many afternoons learning from his grandmother. Having grown up in the country, his baking style is inspired by the CWA. He also loves to bake while he listens to rock ‘n’ roll.
9×1: Cake Week
signature challenge: imprime roll
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Anirban – patishapta roll with lime sponge, Bengali folk design, khoya milk filling, desiccated coconut
Aysha – Sol-Ozzy roll with vanilla sponge, Solomon Islands tattoo design, passionfruit spread, cheesecake filling
Beth – peace roll with orange sponge, groovy 70s flower design, hazelnut praline cream, orange thyme curd
Brian – black forest roll with chocolate sponge, fall foliage design, blackberry ganache, sour cherries, vanilla cream
Erik – beach sunrise roll with vanilla sponge, handpiped waves, blood orange gin curd, mango, meringue
Gregson – ube sponge with dancing pineapple design, pineapple curd, ube cream
Jai – vegan matcha lemon sponge with cherry blossom design, peach cream
Jess – zesty roll with lemon poppyseed sponge, lemon design, lemon curd, cream cheese
Kelarnie – summer breeze roll with vanilla sponge, fruit design, blueberry compote, lemon cream cheese
Tatiana – lemon poppyseed sponge with Serbian folkloric embroidery design, macerated raspberries, lemon buttercream
Vanessa – lemon sponge with floral design, chantilly cream
Wesley – orange & caradamom poppyseed sponge with orange design, crème suisse filling
technical challenge: esterhazy torta with hazelnut dacquoise, buttercream, feathered chocolate icing, and roasted hazelnuts
rankings: [Spoiler (click to open)]
1 – Beth
2 – Tatiana
3 – Vanessa
4 – Kelarnie
5 – Aysha
6 – Anirban
7 – Jess
8 – Brian
9 – Jai
10 – Erik
11 – Wesley
12 – Gregson
showstopper challenge: gravity defying cake (minimum height 30cm)
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Anirban – chocolate fudge cake, chocolate ganache, mascarpone, raspberry jam, raspberry bourbon truffles, chocolate paper bag
Aysha – basketball trick with coconut pineapple cake, chocolate fondant finger, cayenne pineapple sauce
Beth – upside down chocolate cake with cherry shiraz compote, french buttercream, fondant birthday candle
Brian – box of chocolates with salted caramel chocolate cake, peanut butter, bananas
Erik – chocolate espresso cake, salted caramel buttercream, puffed rice golf ball, fondant tee
Gregson – gum tree with pandan cake, passionfruit buttercream, passionfruit curd, fondant roots
Jai – breakfast in Istanbul with rosewater cardamom sponge, pistachio buttercream, fondant coffee
Jess – witches brew with vanilla sponge cauldron, raspberry pepperberry jam, puffed rice potion bottle, meringue buttercream
Kelarnie – almond cake honey pot, lemon curd, toffee honey dipper
Tatiana – popping pot with chocolate fudge cake, vanilla bavarian cream, biscuit lid, caramel popcorn
Vanessa – mixing bowl with chocolate mud cake, dark chocolate ganache, puffed rice mug, toasted hazelnuts
Wesley – trout cake with cardamom & cinnamonhummingbird sponge, swiss meringue buttercream, rice pa per waves
star baker: [Spoiler (click to open)] Beth
eliminated: [Spoiler (click to open)] Gregson
watch the full episode:
