The Great Australian Bake Off is gearing up for its upcoming season, and the search for the best amateur bakers in the country is underway.
The popular baking competition will have a new judging panel consisting of Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese, and will be hosted by Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson.
The 2023 competition will cover a wide range of baked goods, from biscuits to bread, pies to pavlovas, and will take place in the Bake Off Shed.
A recently published casting notice asks,
“Are you a Star Baker in the making? Are you passionate about pastry? Does your sponge rise to the challenge?”
Stepping into the iconic shed for the first time, Rachel, Darren, Natalie, and Cal commence filming in Sydney this week, greeting and mentoring twelve new bakers over 10 weeks, who take on delicious challenges to test their baking prowess, creativity, and skill.
Wendy Moore, FOXTEL General Manager of LifeStyle said:
“The Great Australian Bake Off is one the most beautiful shows on TV and is truly loved by our audience. We are so excited to welcome into the family Rachel and Darren, who are such passionate and respected bakers.
They are the perfect people to continue this loved show into the future alongside our fabulous new hosts, Natalie and Cal who are ready and waiting to test every bake too!”
Kylie Washington, GM and Creative Director, BBC Studios Production ANZ, added:
“We’re excited to get started filming the new series and to welcome Rachel, Darren, Natalie and Cal to the Bake Off shed.
Maggie, Matt, Mel and Claire have left big shoes to fill but with our new hosts and judges and our line-up of incredible bakers, we are all set for another memorable, feel-good series.”
Rachel Khoo, a culinary creative, presenter, food writer and best-selling cookbook author joins The Great Australian Bake Off as judge. Rachel’s passion for patisserie lured her to Paris, to pursue her love of French pastries and studied at the world renowned Le Cordon Bleu, where she obtained a pastry diploma and worked on culinary projects throughout the world as an international food creative.
Rachel has authored six books including, Rachel Khoo’s Sweet and Savoury Pates, Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook and her latest publication, The Little Swedish Kitchen. Rachel has starred on television programs including Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook, Rachel Khoo’s Chocolate, and as co-host on Zumbo’s Just Desserts and judge on My Kitchen Rules and Great British Menu.
Rachel Khoo said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the wonderful and uplifting GABO with Darren, Natalie and Cal. I cannot wait to taste all the delicious cakes the bakers make.”
Darren Purchese joins Rachel as judge, and is a world-renowned pastry chef, author and the owner and creator behind Melbourne’s popular cake and dessert business, Burch & Purchase Sweet Studio. Famous for his extravagant desserts, incredible cakes, and creations, Darren’s sweet centrepieces and showstopping desserts have been in demand at some of the country’s most prestigious events.
Originally training at the Savoy Hotel in London, Darren is one of the most sought after and respected chefs working in Australia today and often appears as a judge on MasterChef Australia. Darren is an accomplished author of five cookbooks including Sweet Studio – The Art of Divine Desserts, Lamingtons & Lemon Tart, Chefs Eat Toasties Too and Chefs Eat Breakfast Too.
Natalie Tran, a comedian, actress, writer, and Australian YouTuber joins as co-host of The Great Australian Bake Off. Natalie’s observational comedy videos on YouTube have garnered over half a billion views and she was the most subscribed-to YouTuber in Australia. Outside of YouTube, Natalie has previously been a comedy correspondent on The Project, writer and correspondent on The Weekly.
Natalie’s acting credits include internationally acclaimed FOXTEL/FX series Mr Inbetween, and upcoming animated series Koala Man alongside Hugh Jackman and Sarah Snook.
Cal Wilson joins Natalie as host and is a comedian, broadcaster, actress and a perennial favourite on TV shows Have You Been Paying Attention?, Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, Thank God You’re Here, Would I Lie To You?, Hughesy, We Have a Problem, The Project and the most recent season of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
Cal’s stand up shows are always sell-outs and as a gifted storyteller and writer, Cal secured her own special on Netflix and has been invited to join writing teams for the 2022 BAFTA Awards ceremony, series Mean Mums and The Weekly with Charlie Pickering. Cal has also become a very serious children’s author, penning two books called George and the Great Bum Stampede, and George and the Great Brain Swappery.
The Great Australian Bake Off is a BBC Studios Production in Australia for FOXTEL based on a format created by Love Productions and licensed by BBC Studios distribution.
The competition is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are 16 years of age or older. Applicants are invited to showcase their baking skills and passion for pastry in hopes of being crowned the next Great Australian Bake Off champion.
When can we apply to be on the bake off series
Hi Claire – as per the link to the application process in the article, the applications have been open since 6 April.