The diverse group of homebakers from across the country who will be kneading, stirring and mixing it for baking supremacy on The Great Australian Bake Off have been announced ahead of the series launching next month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbfNY04PHxQ
Judged by culinary icon Maggie Beer and acclaimed chef Matt Moran, and hosted by comedians Claire Hooper andMel Buttle, the 10-part series will see 12 bakers put through a series of mouth-watering challenges to find Australia’s Best Amateur Baker.
The bakers are: Angela Fleay (47, Truck Driver from Melbourne, VIC); Ben Brown (37, Mining Inventory Planner from Emerald, QLD); Brendan Eilola (43, IT Specialist from Brisbane, QLD); James Dunsmore (31, Food Historian from Sydney, NSW); Janice Tan (34, Management Consultant from Sydney, NSW); Jasmin Hartley (27, Barista from Mackay, QLD); Mariana Gates (55, Volunteer Worker from Gold Coast, QLD); Meg Moorcroft (20, Student from Adelaide, SA); Nathan Taylor (19, Student from Perth, WA); Peter Rankin (58, Doctor from Melbourne, VIC); Sian Redgrave (23, Fashion Boutique Stylist from Perth, WA); and Suzy Stefanidis (45, stay at home Mum from Melbourne, VIC).
Each week, these bakers will create a series of decadent treats to impress the judges, from a molten chocolate and Cointreau pudding and an Earl Grey and vanilla Mille-feuille to a huge Moulin Rouge Windmill biscuit.
Each episode begins with the Signature Bake, where each competitor has a personal take on a familiar recipe. They may be told to bake biscuits, brownies, pies or eclairs, 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 strictly follow the recipe, which is blind tasted by the judges.
The last, and most grand, challenge is the Showstopper. This is where the 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 successfully completes all 30 challenges and wins the judges tastebuds will be crowned Australia’s Best Amateur Baker.
The Great Australian Bake Off will premiere Tuesday, October 13 at 8.30pm on LifeStyle FOOD/
