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.
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.
9×8: Earth Week
The five remaining amateur bakers honour the Earth as they go sustainable by preparing raw cakes, beetroot tarts, and edible terrariums.
signature challenge: raw cake with three layers (no ovens, no electric appliances)
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Anirban – coconut, ginger, & date base, mangu puree, kafir lime coconut cream, finger lime pearls
Beth – fig & almond base, hibiscus mousse, watermelon
Jess – frasier cake with strawberry mousse, chocolate mousse, Davidson plum mousse
Tatiana – chocolate macadamia base, dark chocolate mousse, raspberry mousse
Vanessa – pistachio & almond crust, whipped avocado mousse, raspberry gel
technical challenge: beetroot tart
rankings [Spoiler (click to open)]
1 – Beth
2 – Tatiana
3 – Jess
4 – Vanessa
5 – Anirban
showstopper challenge: edible terrarium with cake, biscuit, and chocolate
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Anirban – Rajasthan desert terrarium with cardamom shortbread snakes & cacti, chickpea sand dune, saffron panna cotta, mint chocolate rosewater pistachio brownie dirt
Beth – desert terrarium with lemon myrtle cake, blood orange sugar cookie sand, quandong jam mousse, bush dukkah, freeze dried ants
Jess – Oma’s garden terrarium with fondant succulents, white chocolate roots, chocolate mint rocks, raspberry compôte, mint crème pâtissière, chocolate mud cake
Tatiana – black forest terrarium with kirsch soaked morello cherry gel, chocolate sponge, chantilly cream, chocolate custard, cookie crumble, meringue mushrooms, chocolate leaves
Vanessa – mushroom forest terrarium with tonka bean chantilly cream, chestnut chocolate sponge, poached red wine pears, candied enoki mushrooms, meringue mushrooms, raspberry compôte
star baker: [Spoiler (click to open)] Beth
eliminated: [Spoiler (click to open)] Anirban
watch the full episode:
