meet the bakers:
Anirban Chanda age: 38job: senior knowledge manager 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: 32job: production coordinator 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: 37job: pastor 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: 51job: stay at home dad 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: 43job: e-commerce director 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: 44job: hairdresser 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 Johnsage: 28job: barista 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: 31job: business analyst 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: 22job: recruitment consultant 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: 55job: nurse 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 Furciage: 34job: oncology nurse 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: 37job: digital e-commerce director 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.
9×3: Pie WeekOur ten remaining amateur bakers compete to make their signature party pies, a galette des rois, and a fruity tangram pie.
signature challenge: 12 party pies with pastry base/top and savory fillingwho made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Anirban – Indo-Aussie pies with wattle seed infused short crust pastry, chicken & coconut milk curry fillingAysha – short crust pastry, chicken filling with leeks, brie, ngali nutsBeth – Moroccan pies with rough puff pastry, lamb tagine filling, sesame seedsBrian – Par-Aussian cassoulet pies with thyme short crust pastry, cassoulet filling with pork, duck, speck, tomato, broccoliJai – masak merah pies with vegan short crust pastry, curry filling with mushroom, tomato, kashmiri chili, fried pandan leavesJess – short crust pastry, lamb rogan josh curry filling with kashmiri chili, tomatoes, cloves, caradamomKelarnie – parmesan short crust pastry, chicken, corn, & miso fillingTatiana – seafood pies with dill infused short crust pastry, salmon & prawn filling with capersVanessa – cheddar short crust pastry, ricotta & silverbeet fillingWesley – Thai larb gai pies with short crust pastry, pork mince filling, toasted jasmine rice
technical challenge: galette des rois with frangipane and macadamia nuts rankings [Spoiler (click to open)]
1 – Jess2 – Brian3 – Beth4 – Aysha5 – Anirban6 – Kelarnie7 – Jai8 – Vanessa9 – Wesley10 – Tatiana
showstopper challenge: tangram pie with sweet fillingwho made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Anirban – spiced short crust, cherries, honey crémeux, mulled red wine jelly, apples, pearsAysha – walnut crust, lemon filling, blueberry custardBeth – tropical pie with coconut short crust, lime & cardamom cheesecake, mango curd, kiwiBrian – caramelized compressed cinnamon rough puff pastry, confit apples, sherry crème pâtissièreJai – short crust pastry, pistachio frangipane, strawberry sumac jam, saffron crème pâtissièreJess – black sesame pastry, black sesame frangipane, dragonfruit, citrus custard with yuzu, lemon, and limeKelarnie – chocolate short crust pastry, passionfruit filling, jelly toppingTatiana – caraway short crust pastry, chocolate & orange custard, orange liqueur glazeVanessa – short crust pastry, vanilla custard, strawberry basil kiwi jamWesley – short crust pastry, almond orange frangipane, rhubarb strawberry jam, candied orange, roasted rhubarb
star baker: [Spoiler (click to open)] Anirban
eliminated: [Spoiler (click to open)] Wesley
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