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 has joined 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.
9×9: Pâtisserie Week
The four remaining amateur bakers compete for a spot in the finale, creating an en croûte, a spiced charlotte russe, and modern viennoiserie.
signature challenge: en croûte
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Beth – winter roast en croûte with hot water crust pastry, pork, fennel, leeks, garlic, sweet potato, spinach
Jess – lasagne en croûte with hot water crust pastry, pepper béchamel, bolognese, pasta
Tatiana – home style en croûte with hot water crust pastry, chicken, chorizo, apricot, chicken stock
Vanessa – Mexican fiesta en croûte with cheddar & jalapeño short crust pastry, rice, black beans, corn, chicken fajitaq
technical challenge: spiced charlotte russe with glögg poached pears, white chocolate mousse, glögg jelly, ladyfinger collar
rankings: [Spoiler (click to open)]
1 – Jess
2 – Beth
3 – Tatiana
4 – Vanessa
showstopper challenge: viennoiserie (3 types of pastry including brioches and croissants)
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Beth – blackberry sage brioche buns, pear & whipped blue cheese croissant tarts topped with candied walnuts, croissants with pineapple compôte & coconut egg jam
Jess – blackberry rosemary ricotta brioche cubes, zatar & garlic croissant swirls, raspberry & pistachio praline torsades
Tatiana – walnut croissant butterflies, creamed spinach, pine nut, & whipped feta brioche buns, licorice root, orange, & blackberry brioche flowers with crème pâtissière
Vanessa – Catalana custard croissants, hot honey danish with walnut frangipane, pear, & gorgonzola, twisted brioche with chocolate chestnut filling
star baker: [Spoiler (click to open)] Jess
eliminated: [Spoiler (click to open)] Tatiana
watch the full episode:
