The Great Australian Bake Off
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | July 9, 2013 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Baking competition television series |
| Website | www |
The Great Australian Bake Off is a baking competition television series from Australia, adapted from the BBC's original show The Great British Bake Off.
The show first aired on 9 July 2013 on the Nine Network, featuring hosts Shane Jacobson and Anna Gare alongside judges Dan Lepard and Kerry Vincent. On 1 April 2015, the series transitioned to the pay-TV channel LifeStyle Food and FremantleMedia Australia for its second season, which debuted on 13 October 2015 with new presenters Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle, and judges Maggie Beer and Matt Moran. Between 2016 and 2019, three further seasons were broadcast on LifeStyle Food and LifeStyle.
In December 2020, rumors circulated about a potential shift to the Seven Network, but by March 2021 Foxtel was reportedly in advanced negotiations to bring the series back. The show was officially renewed by Foxtel in June 2021, with BBC Studios Australia taking over production duties from Fremantle. The sixth season premiered on 27 January 2022.
On 4 August 2022, Foxtel announced a refreshed seventh season slated for 2023, marking the departure of Maggie Beer, Matt Moran, Claire Hooper, and Mel Buttle. On 30 August, new judges pastry chef Darren Purchese and culinary expert Rachel Khoo, along with comedians Cal Wilson and Natalie Tran as hosts, were unveiled. The seventh season premiered on 13 June 2023 and included a guest appearance from Maggie Beer.
The eighth season, filmed in early 2023 and scheduled to premiere on 18 September 2024, will be the final season featuring Cal Wilson following her passing in October 2023. This season will pay tribute to her contributions to the programme. In June 2025, Foxtel announced that comedian Tom Walker would succeed Wilson as co-host alongside Tran starting with the ninth season premiering on 29 July 2025.
Format
The competition follows a weekly elimination structure aimed at identifying the top all-around amateur baker. Each episode comprises three distinct challenges: a signature bake, a technical bake, and a showstopper challenge. Judges evaluate each bake critically, awarding the title of "Star Baker" while eliminating one participant per episode. The inaugural season featured ten contestants; subsequent editions expanded to twelve competitors.
- Signature Challenge: Contestants prepare their own reliable and traditional recipes.
- Technical Challenge: Bakers execute an undisclosed recipe designed to assess their technical proficiency; judges rank the results anonymously.
- Showstopper Challenge: Participants display advanced skills and creativity in both presentation and flavor to impress judges at a professional level.
Hosts and judges
| Hosts/Judges | Season | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Shane Jacobson | colspan="1" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Anna Gare | colspan="1" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Dan Lepard | colspan="1" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Kerry Vincent | colspan="1" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Claire Hooper | colspan="5" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Mel Buttle | colspan="5" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Maggie Beer | colspan="5" Template:Yes2 | Guest | |||||||
| Matt Moran | colspan="5" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Cal Wilson | colspan="2" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Natalie Tran | colspan="3" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Darren Purchese | colspan="3" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Rachel Khoo | colspan="3" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
| Tom Walker | colspan="1" Template:Yes2 | ||||||||
Season overview
| Season | Network | Original Broadcast | Runners-up | Champion | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere Date | Finale Date | |||||
| One | Nine Network | 9 July 2013 | 27 August 2013 | Jonathan Gurfinkel | Nancy Ho | Kitchen Renovation & Retreat Holiday |
| Maria Vella | ||||||
| Two | LifeStyle Food | 13 October 2015 | 15 December 2015 | Jasmin Hartley | Sian Redgrave | None |
| Susie Stefanidis | ||||||
| Three | 11 October 2016 | 14 December 2016 | Monica Cavallaro | Olivia McMahon | ||
| Antonio Marcora | ||||||
| Four | LifeStyle | 18 January 2018 | 22 March 2018 | Barb Dunn | Claudia Anton | |
| Dave Yan | ||||||
| Five | 3 October 2019 | 5 December 2019 | David Hills | Sunny Nasir Ahmad | ||
| Dan Pasquali | ||||||
| Six | 27 January 2022 | 31 March 2022 | Aaron Hawton | Ella Rossanis | ||
| Nurman Noor | ||||||
| Seven | 13 June 2023 | 15 August 2023 | Adam Miller | Laura Foo | "Ultimate Bakers' Kitchen" by Smeg | |
| Ilona Nicola | ||||||
| Eight | 18 September 2024 | 20 November 2024 | Dimi Jayawardene | Arvin Garcia | ||
| Elliot Styche | ||||||
| Nine | 29 July 2025 | TBA | TBA | TBA | ||
Season 1 (2013)
The inaugural season showcased ten amateur bakers who faced three baking challenges per episode, each centered on a distinct baking style. It was broadcast on Nine Network from July 9 to August 27, 2013.
The final contestants were Jonathan Gurfinkel, Nancy Ho, and Maria Vella, with Nancy Ho ultimately securing the title of top amateur baker.
Season 2 (2015)
In the second season, twelve home bakers competed in themed challenges aiming to be named the best amateur baker. This series aired between October 13 and December 15, 2015.
Jasmin Hartley, Sian Redgrave, and Susie Stefanidis reached the finale, with Sian Redgrave winning the competition on December 15, 2015.
Season 3 (2016)
The third season preserved the format of 12 amateur bakers tackling three challenges per episode, each centered around a particular theme. This season was broadcast from 11 October to 14 December 2016.
The finalists Monica Cavallaro, Antonio Marcona, and Olivia McMahon competed for the title, with Olivia McMahon ultimately being declared the best amateur baker on 13 December 2016.
Season 4 (2018)
Season 4 upheld the tradition of themed baking contests involving 12 participants. It aired between 18 January and 22 March 2018.
The final round featured Claudia Anton, Barb Dunn, and Dave Yan, with Claudia Anton securing the win on 22 March 2018.
Season 5 (2019)
In Season 5, twelve home bakers once again faced three uniquely themed challenges in each episode. The season was televised from 3 October to 5 December 2019.
Subha Nasir Ahmad, David Hills, and Daniel Pasquali reached the finals, with Subha Nasir Ahmad earning the title of best amateur baker.
Season 6 (2022)
Season 6 followed the established format of twelve contestants undertaking three thematic challenges per episode. It aired from 27 January to 31 March 2022.
The final contenders were Aaron Hawton, Nurman Noor, and Ella Rossanis, with Ella Rossanis crowned best amateur baker.
Season 7 (2023)
Maintaining the consistent structure of twelve bakers and three challenges each episode, Season 7 was broadcast from 13 June to 15 August 2023.
Laura Foo, Adam Miller, and Ilona Nicola competed in the finale, where Laura Foo was named best amateur baker.
Season 8 (2024)
Season 8 presented twelve home bakers competing through three distinct themed challenges per episode. The season premiered on 18 September 2024.
Season 9 (2025)
Beginning on 29 July 2025, Season 9 will once more feature twelve home bakers facing three themed challenges in every episode.
Ratings
| Season | Network | Episodes | Premiere | Finale | Average viewers | Average rank | Ref | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Ratings | Rank | Date | Ratings | Rank | ||||||
| 1 | Nine Network | 8 | 9 July 2013 | 1,119,000 | #5 | 27 August 2013 | 760,000 | #13 | 834,000 | #12 | [1][2] |
| 2 | Lifestyle Food | 10 | 13 October 2015 | 104,000 | #1 | 15 December 2015 | 136,000 | #1 | 108,000 | #1 | Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
|
| 3 | 11 October 2016 | 96,000 | #3 | 13 December 2016 | 140,000 | #1 | 108,000 | #2 | Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
| ||
| 4 | LifeStyle | 18 January 2018 | 103,000 | #1 | 22 March 2018 | 162,000 | #3 | 106,000 | #2 | Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
| |
| 5 | 3 October 2019 | 110,000 | #1 | 5 December 2019 | 95,000 | #1 | 95,000 | #1 | Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
| ||
| 6 | 27 January 2022 | 73,000 | #1 | 31 March 2022 | 62,000 | #5 | 62,000 | #3 | Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
| ||
| 7 | 13 June 2023 | 50,000 | #3 | 15 August 2023 | 47,000 | #3 | 51,000 | #2 | Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
| ||
| 8 | 18 September 2024 |
20 November 2024 |
|||||||||
Broadcast
| Season | Network | Initial air dates | Number of episodes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First episode | Last episode | |||
| 1 | Nine Network | 9 July 2013 | 27 August 2013 | 8 |
| 2 | LifeStyle Food | 13 October 2015 | 15 December 2015 | 10 |
| 3 | 11 October 2016 | 13 December 2016 | ||
| 4 | LifeStyle | 18 January 2018 | 22 March 2018 | |
| 5 | 3 October 2019 | 5 December 2019 | ||
| 6 | 27 January 2022 | 31 March 2022 | ||
| 7 | 13 June 2023 | 15 August 2023 | ||
| 8 | 18 September 2024 | 20 November 2024 | ||
| 9 | 29 July 2025 | TBA | ||