The bunting is up, the ovens are on and 12 of the country’s best amatuer bakers are ready to do baking battle when the third season of Foxtel’s deliciously successful series The Great Australian Bake Off, returns next month.
Judged by culinary icon Maggie Beer and acclaimed chef Matt Moran, and hosted by comedians Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle, the mouth-watering third series will see a new diverse group of 12 amateur bakers put through baking challenges in the iconic Bake Off Shed to find Australia’s Best Amateur Baker.
Those bakers are:
Claudia Anton (48), Psychiatrist from Melbourne
Chris Asquith (32), System Administrator from Newcastle
Barb Dunn (37), Finance Manager from Brisbane
Max Fetiveau (28), Plasterer from Brisbane
Robert Harwood (34), I.T. Administrator from Perth
Raeesa Khatree (37), Ex-Lawyer turned health store worker from Brisbane
Marcus Matear (27), Dentist from Melbourne
Jessica Osbone (28), Sales Co-ordinator from Brisbane
Alex Papadopoulos (47), Building Material Importer from Melbourne
Emma Sievwright (23), Science Graduate from Brisbane
Michelle Trevorrow (64), Retiree from Melbourne
Dave Yan (35), Accountant from Sydney
Set in a shed on an idyllic grassy field, the 30 challenges that will feature throughout the 10-part series will leave viewers in food heaven with delights such as crepe cakes, Frasier cakes, waffles, sausage rolls and biscotti to name just a few.
Each week begins with the Signature Bake, where each competitor has a personal take on a familiar recipe. They may be told to bake muffins or tarts, but their creativity and imagination on what ingredients they use is encouraged.
Next comes the Technical Bake. This recipe from either Matt or Maggie is a complete surprise to the bakers and revealed just before the challenge starts. They must follow the recipe, which is blind tasted and judged by Matt and Maggie.
The last challenge is the Showstopper. This is where bakers show off their skills and artistry on the episode theme with the judges looking for ‘wow factor’ when they judge each bake.
After the Showstopper Bake, the judges and hosts sit down in ‘cake corner’ to talk through who is that week’s Star Baker and who will be eliminated. The baker that wins the judges tastebuds after all 30 challenges will be crowned Australia’s best amateur baker.
The Bake Off franchise began in 2010 with The Great British Bake Off, where it became a ratings phenomenon. The format has since been sold to 26 territories including the US, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine and France.
Having previously aired on Lifestyle FOOD, the third season of The Great Australian Bake Off will premiere for the first time on Lifestyle on Thursday January 18 at 8.30pm