The Great Australian Bake Off season 1
| Company type | Television series season |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | July 9, 2013 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Reality baking competition |
The inaugural season of The Great Australian Bake Off debuted on 9 July 2013 via the Nine Network. This series showcased ten amateur bakers vying over the course of eight episodes for the title of Australia's top home baker. Each installment featured three baking challenges centered around a specific theme, designed to evaluate a range of baking techniques. The season concluded on 27 August 2013, with Nancy Ho emerging as the champion. Hosting duties were fulfilled by Anna Gare and Shane Jacobson, while judging was conducted by Dan Lepard and Kerry Vincent.
The Bakers
The competitors participating in this season included:
| Baker | Age | Profession | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Ho | 22 | Architecture Graduate | Brisbane, Queensland | Template:Sort |
| Jonathan Gurfinkel | 35 | IT Professional | Melbourne, Victoria | Template:Sort |
| Maria Vella | 45 | Workplace Trainer | Melbourne, Victoria | Template:Sort |
| Monique Bowley | 30 | Former WNBL Player | Adelaide, South Australia | Template:Sort |
| Brendan Garlick | 21 | University Student | Springwood, New South Wales | Template:Sort |
| Julie Bonanno | 41 | Farm Homemaker | Shepparton, Victoria | Template:Sort |
| Mark Bartter | 52 | Chartered Accountant | Sydney, New South Wales | Template:Sort |
| Sara-Jane Smith | 30 | Educator | Melbourne, Victoria | Template:Sort |
| Bliss Nixon | 23 | Trivia Host | Gold Coast, Queensland | Template:Sort |
| Steve Lovett | 28 | Boxer | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Template:Sort |
Results summary
| Elimination Progression Chart | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||
| Nancy | SB | WINNER | ||||||||
| Jonathan | SB | SB | Runner-Up | |||||||
| Maria | SB | SB | Runner-Up | |||||||
| Monique | SB | OUT | colspan=1 style="background:DarkGrey;" | |||||||
| Brendan | OUT | colspan=2 style="background:DarkGrey;" | ||||||||
| Julie | SB | OUT | colspan=3 style="background:DarkGrey;" | |||||||
| Mark | OUT | colspan=4 style="background:DarkGrey;" | ||||||||
| Sara-Jane | OUT | colspan=5 style="background:DarkGrey;" | ||||||||
| Bliss | OUT | colspan=6 style="background:DarkGrey;" | ||||||||
| Steve | OUT | colspan=7 style="background:DarkGrey;" | ||||||||
'Legend for colours used in chart:
| Advanced to following round |
| Awarded Star Baker |
| Winner of the season |
| Judges' favourite baker |
| Contestant eliminated |
| Judges' least favourite baker |
Episodes
| Contestant eliminated | Star Baker awarded | Winner of the season |
Episode 1: Cakes
For the opening challenge, contestants were tasked with baking 24 cupcakes within two hours, divided evenly between two distinct flavors. The Technical Challenge involved creating a four-tier chocolate and orange Checkerboard Cake. The Showstopper required designing a Children's Party Cake, with a five-hour time limit.
| Baker | Signature (24 Cupcakes) |
Technical (Chocolate & Orange Checkerboard Cake) |
Showstopper (Children's Party Cake) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bliss | White Chocolate & Passionfruit Cream Cupcakes Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes |
5 | Princess Cake |
| Brendan | Raspberry Marshmallow Cupcakes Peanut Butter Rocky Road Cupcakes |
3 | Flavored Rainbow Cake |
| Jonathan | Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes Banana & Peanut Butter Cupcakes |
6 | 3D Rocket Cake on Carved Half Moon Base |
| Julie | Pistachio & Rosewater Cupcakes Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes |
7 | Honeycomb Hive Cake |
| Maria | Coffee, Chocolate & Hazelnut Cupcakes Passionfruit Cupcakes with White Chocolate Ganache |
2 | Enchanted Butterfly Garden Raspberry Ripple Cake |
| Mark | Rose-Infused Buttercream Swirl Cupcakes Orange & Grapefruit Curd Cupcakes |
10 | Chocolate Mud Cake with Plum Syrup |
| Monique | Vanilla & Rosewater Butterfly Cakes Chocolate & Lemon Curd Cupcakes |
4 | Pool-Themed Cake |
| Nancy | Lemon-Filled Lavender Cupcakes Vietnamese Coffee Cupcake with Cinnamon Doughnuts |
1 | Ballerina Pillow Banana Cake |
| Sara-Jane | Coconut Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Spiced Chocolate & Pear Cupcakes |
8 | "Very Vanilla" Rainbow Cake with Homemade Sprinkles |
| Steve | Flourless Orange, Linseed, Sunflower Seed & Almond Cupcakes Coffee & Whisky Cupcakes |
9 | Banana Sandstone Castle Cake |
Episode 2: Pies
The first task involved crafting a family-sized pie with either a sweet or savory filling, including a pastry lid, all within two and a half hours. The Technical Challenge tested bakers on a lemon meringue pie, focusing on flawless pastry, properly set filling, and crisp meringue topping. The Showstopper demanded producing 12 party pies, 12 sausage rolls, and 12 pasties in four hours.
| Baker | Signature (Family Pie) |
Technical (Lemon Meringue Pie) |
Showstopper (36 Party Pies, Sausage Rolls & Pasties) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bliss | Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pie | 9 | Beef & Bacon Party Pies Pork, Apple & Fennel Sausage Rolls Spicy Curry Pasties |
| Brendan | Thai Chicken Pie | 2 | BBQ Chicken & Cheese Pies Satay Pork Sausage Rolls Beef & Bean Pasties |
| Jonathan | Garlic Prawn, Fish & Rice Pie | 1 | Chicken Kiev Party Pies Layered Lamb Moussaka Pasties Pumpkin & Ricotta Sfogliatelle |
| Julie | Moroccan Lamb & Sweet Potato Pie | 6 | Salmon & Fennel Party Pies Curried Coriander Potato Pasties Chicken, Bacon & Sundried Tomato Sausage Rolls |
| Maria | Aromatic Braised Beef Pie | 5 | Chicken & Apple Cider Pies Spiced Samosa Pasties Chicken & Sage Sausage Rolls |
| Mark | Cheese & Onion Pie | 8 | Shredded Pork Pies Potato & Cauliflower Empanadas Argentinian Beef Pampas Rolls |
| Monique | Chicken, Herb & Mushroom Pie | 4 | Mini Shepherd's Pies Cornish Pasties Classic Sausage Rolls |
| Nancy | Lamb Shank & Potato Pie | 7 | Smoky Chorizo Sausage Rolls Pumpkin & Feta Pasties BBQ Pork & Whisky Pies |
| Sara-Jane | Rabbit, Leek & Pistachio Pie | 3 | Mushroom Bourguignon Pies Cauliflower Cheese Pasties Vegetarian Sausage Rolls |
Episode 3: Biscuits
In the Signature Challenge, contestants were tasked with crafting 24 Aussie Assortments—traditional Australian biscuits—within two and a half hours, producing two varieties of 12 each. For the Technical round, bakers needed to prepare twelve 12 cm long Brandy Snaps, filling ten with cream while leaving two unfilled. The Showstopper challenge involved constructing an intricate gingerbread creation, completed in four hours.
| Baker | Signature (24 Aussie Assortments) |
Technical (Brandy Snaps) |
Showstopper (Gingerbread Structure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan | Butterscotch ANZAC Biscuits Lemon Myrtle Biscuits with Lemon Butter Cream |
2 | Sydney Harbour Bridge at NYE |
| Jonathan | Chocolate & Caramel Oat Biscuits Chocolate Wagon Wheels |
7 | Giant Monster Robot |
| Julie | Macadamia, Mango & Passionfruit Shortbread Chocolate Mint Yo-Yos |
1 | Outdoor Dunny |
| Maria | Mango Macadamia Melting Moments Mint Marshmallow Swirl Biscuits |
6 | Eiffel Tower in Bloom |
| Mark | Australian Royal Mint Slice Bitter Almond ANZAC Biscuits |
5 | High Country Hut |
| Monique | Choc Coconut Macarons ANZAC Biscuits |
3 | Gingerbread Church |
| Nancy | Chocolate & Raspberry Wagon Wheels Earl Grey Shortbread |
4 | Gingerbread Carousel |
| Sara-Jane | Cornflake Catastrophe Cookies Fizzing Mandarin Creams |
8 | Wintry Village |
Episode 4: Tarts
The Signature Challenge required bakers to produce a tarte tatin within two and a half hours. For the Technical round, contestants were instructed to make a Quiche Lorraine using rough puff pastry, also within a two and a half hour timeframe. The Showstopper challenge involved creating twelve small sweet tarts, evenly divided between fruit-based and chocolate varieties.
| Baker | Signature (Tarte Tatin) |
Technical (Quiche Lorraine) |
Showstopper (12 Miniature Sweet Tarts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan | Peppered Pineapple Tarte Tatin | 1 | Passionfruit Cream Tarts with Toffied Macadamias Chocolate Tarts with Raspberries & Mint |
| Jonathan | Lamb Tarte Tatin | 2 | Chocolate Tarts with Hazelnut Frangipane Lychee Tarts with Macadamia Praline |
| Julie | Banana & Pineapple Tarte Tatin | 5 | Passionfruit Mango Tarts Peanut Butter Chocolate Tarts |
| Maria | Jackfruit & Banana Tarte Tatin | 6 | White Chocolate, Mango & Raspberry Tarts Jaffa Tarts with Orange Liqueur |
| Mark | Apple, Raisin & Almond Tarte Tatin | 4 | Nectarine & Lemongrass Tartlets Chocolate Cream Tartlets |
| Monique | Apple Tarte Tatin | 7 | Strawberry Cream Tarts Salted Caramel & Chocolate Tarts |
| Nancy | Rum Spiced Caramel & Pineapple Tarte Tatin | 3 | Chocolate Marshmallow Tarts Coconut & Orange Liqueur Tarts |
Episode 5: Bread
During the Signature Challenge, contestants were given two and a half hours to bake a free-form loaf of their choice. The Technical task involved preparing Dan's coffee scrolls, which featured cinnamon and sultanas, finished with a coffee glaze, also within two and a half hours. For the Showstopper round, bakers were tasked with designing a bread basket—edibility was not mandatory—alongside producing 24 rolls in two distinct varieties, all to be completed within four hours.
| Baker | Signature (Free-Form Loaf) |
Technical (Coffee Scroll) |
Showstopper (Display Bread Basket + 24 Rolls) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan | Rhubarb & Pink Lady Apple Bread | 5 | Pumpkin & Gorgonzola Rolls Pecan Buns |
| Jonathan | Cinnamon & Poppy Seed Bread | 1 | Sausage & Sauerkraut Rolls Whisky & Chocolate Iced Rolls |
| Julie | Pumpkin Pull-Apart Loaf | 4 | Pecan Cinnamon Rolls Carrot & Cumin Rolls |
| Maria | Spinach & Feta Cheese Bread | 2 | Orange & Walnut Rosettes Mini Pesto Parmesan Spiral Loaves |
| Monique | Spiced Fruit Cider Bread | 6 | Coconut Iced Sweet Buns Cheesymite Scrolls |
| Nancy | Dukkah & Macadamia Plaited Loaf | 3 | Mexican Coffee Buns Porcini, Truffle & Rosemary Dinner Rolls |
Episode 6: Desserts
For the Signature Challenge, bakers crafted a large baked cheesecake within two and a half hours, selecting their preferred base and flavour combinations. The Technical challenge required assembling a layered pavlova torte consisting of three meringue layers complemented by whipped cream and summer fruits, finished with strawberry sugar artwork, all within two and a half hours. The Showstopper demanded the creation of a multi-tiered celebration cake featuring at least two tiers.
| Baker | Signature (Baked Cheesecake) |
Technical (Layered Pavlova Torte) |
Showstopper (Tiered Celebration Cake) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan | White Chocolate & Brownie Cheesecake | 5 | Live Laugh Love 21st Birthday Cake |
| Jonathan | Cherry & Polish Cottage Cheese Cheesecake | 3 | Wedding Anniversary Cake |
| Maria | Honey, Orange Blossom & Rose Cheesecake | 4 | Red Velvet Engagement Cake |
| Monique | Lemon & Sour Cream Cheesecake with Fresh Blueberries | 1 | Ombre Wedding Cake |
| Nancy | Lime & Ginger Cheesecake | 2 | Orange Blossom Kokeshi Doll Cake |
Episode 7: Pastry
In the Signature round, contestants were tasked with producing a gluten-free fruit tart designed to serve eight people within two and a half hours. Following this, the Technical challenge required them to bake six croissants accompanied by a jam of their choosing, allotted four hours for completion. The Showstopper involved creating a strudel sufficient to feed eight individuals, with a time limit of two and a half hours.
| Baker | Signature (Gluten-Free Fruit Tart) |
Technical (Croissants) |
Showstopper (Strudel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan | Strawberry Crème Brûlée Tart | 3 | Apple, Pear & Walnut Strudel |
| Maria | Spiced Raspberry Linzer Tart | 1 | Spiced Fig & Apple Strudel |
| Monique | Honey, Fig & Goat's Cheese Tart | 4 | Apple Strudel |
| Nancy | Walnut, Gorgonzola & Pear Tart | 2 | Pear & Chocolate Celebration Wreath |
Episode 8: Finale
For the concluding Signature Challenge, contestants were allotted three and a half hours to assemble an elaborate, multi-tiered gâteau. The Technical challenge tasked them with crafting three distinct flavours of choux pastry Religieuse—specifically chocolate, coffee, and rose—within two and a half hours. The Showstopper required the creation of 36 petits fours, divided equally into three varieties with twelve pieces each.
| Baker | Signature (Multi-Tiered Gâteau) |
Technical (La Religieuse) |
Showstopper (36 Petits Fours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan | Layered Raspberry, Walnut & Praline Meringue | 1 | Pistachio-Crusted Choux Puffs with Turkish Delight Hungarian Dobos Torte Macadamia Tuile Cones filled with Strawberry Cream & Coconut Ganache |
| Maria | Chocolate Sponge Gâteau paired with Chocolate-Cherry Mousse | 2 | Mini Lemon Cream Tartlets Toffee Cream Choux Puffs Raspberry Brûlée Custard Tarts |
| Nancy | Passionfruit Sponge accompanied by Chocolate Caramel Mousse | 3 | Earl Grey & Lavender Opera Cake Lemon Tart topped with Candied Kumquat Tuile Lychee Rose Mini Choux Nuns |
Ratings
{{Australian television episode ratings | width = 100 | hidetimeslot = y | hideCON = y | backgroundcolour = #87CEEB
| title1 = Cakes | date1 = 13 June 2023 | OVviewers1 = 1.119 million | OVrank1 = 5
| title2 = Pies | date2 = 16 July 2013 | OVviewers2 = 1.089 million | OVrank2 = 5
| title3 = Biscuits | date3 = 23 July 2013 | OVviewers3 = 0.994 million | OVrank3 = 9
| title4 = Tarts | date4 = 30 July 2013 | OVviewers4 = 0.722 million | OVrank4 = 15
| title5 = Bread | date5 = 6 August 2013 | OVviewers5 = 0.675 million | OVrank5 = 15
| title6 = Desserts | date6 = 13 August 2013 | OVviewers6 = 0.692 million | OVrank6 = 13
| title7 = Pastry | date7 = 20 August 2013 | OVviewers7 = 0.622 million | OVrank7 = 18
| title8 = Finale | date8 = 27 August 2013 | OVviewers8 = 0.760 million | OVrank8 = 13 |}