Zumbo (TV series)
Adriano Zumbo | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 6, 1981 Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Pâtissier, television personality |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | MasterChef Australia, Zumbo's Just Desserts, Sugar Rush |
Adriano Zumbo (born 6 November 1981) is a renowned Australian pâtissier and television personality. He opened his inaugural patisserie in 2007 and rose to fame through regular appearances on MasterChef Australia. Zumbo also hosts the Australian baking contest Zumbo's Just Desserts and acts as a judge on Netflix’s Sugar Rush. Celebrated for his inventive confections, he has earned media monikers such as "Sweet Assassin," "Patissier of Pain," "the Dark Lord of the Pastry Kitchen," and "Lord Voldecake." His imaginative style has drawn parallels to "Australia's answer to Willy Wonka."
Early life and education
Born in 1981 to Italian immigrants Frank and Nancy Zumbo from Calabria, Adriano was raised in Coonamble, located northwest of Dubbo. His parents ran the local IGA supermarket, where he cultivated both a passion for sweets and an understanding of business. Time spent in Italy during his youth fostered an appreciation for coffee, which is evident in the coffee-inspired creations featured at his Sydney patisseries.
Following his schooling, Zumbo commenced a pastry apprenticeship in Sydney in 1997, receiving mentorship from culinary experts including Ramon Morato and Pierre Hermé.
Career
Zumbo initially supplied homemade pastries to cafés throughout Sydney and sold goods at grower’s markets before launching his first patisserie in Balmain in 2007. By 2017, he had expanded to operate ten patisseries across Sydney and Melbourne.
In August 2018, his company entered voluntary administration amid debts reportedly reaching $10 million; however, all existing outlets remained operational during the restructuring process.
Television appearances
In 2011, Zumbo featured in a six-part documentary series titled Zumbo on SBS One, which offered an inside look at his kitchen in Balmain.
He has participated in every season of MasterChef Australia, debuting with a croquembouche challenge during the first season. A particularly notable moment was his 2010 “tower of terror” challenge featuring raspberry-beetroot and black olive macarons, which resulted in a fourfold increase in macaron sales at his Balmain location. His eight-layered vanilla V8 cake—comprising eight distinct vanilla textures—was showcased as a challenge dessert and ranked eighth in Good Food's 2016 list of top cult desserts in Sydney.
In August 2016, Zumbo co-hosted the Seven Network cooking show Zumbo's Just Desserts alongside Rachel Khoo and Gigi Falanga.
He currently serves as a judge on Netflix’s 2018 series Sugar Rush, hosted by Hunter March.
In 2023, Zumbo competed on the inaugural season of Dessert Masters.
Controversy over failure to pay workers
In 2017, allegations surfaced on A Current Affair accusing Zumbo of underpaying employees. Subsequently, Zumbo acknowledged payroll mistakes and confirmed that back payments were being made to affected staff.
Publications
Zumbo has authored three books that display his expertise in patisserie:
- Zumbo: Adriano Zumbo's fantastical kitchen of other-worldly delights (2011)
- Zumbarons: a fantasy land of macarons (2012)
- The Zumbo files: unlocking the secrets of a master patissier (2015)
Zumbo
The Australian observational documentary series Zumbo follows Adriano Zumbo within his Balmain kitchen in Sydney. This six-episode program premiered on SBS One in February 2011.
The series spotlighted Zumbo’s signature macarons, including the production of nearly 30,000 for 'Macaron Day' featured in its first episode. Later episodes documented the launch of his 'Summer Collection' and preparations for catering his father’s 70th birthday celebration in Coonamble.
Personal life
In 2017, Zumbo began a relationship with My Kitchen Rules contestant Nelly Riggio. The couple married in May 2022 and announced they are expecting their first child in November 2023.