Leslie Massey
The Great Australian Bake Off returned for its seventh season on June 13, 2023, with a new set of judges and hosts. British cookbook author Rachel Khoo and Melbourne pastry chef Darren Purchese replaced the show's previous judges, Maggie Beer and Matt Moran, and hosts Mel Buttle and Claire Hooper. The new hosts are comedians Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson. The season features 12 home bakers taking on three challenges per episode, with each episode having its own theme or discipline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for change | Maggie Beer and Matt Moran were replaced as judges |
| New judges | Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese |
| New hosts | Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson |
| Previous judges | Matt Moran, Maggie Beer, Claire Hooper, Mel Buttle |
| Previous hosts | Claire Hooper, Mel Buttle |
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What You'll Learn
New judges, Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese
The sixth season of The Great Australian Bake Off saw a change in its judges, with the introduction of world-renowned culinary expert Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese, the king of the pastry world. Khoo, a globally renowned cook, author and presenter, has previously fronted her own series, including Rachel Khoo's Kitchen Notebook, and has appeared as a co-host on My Kitchen Rules and Zumbo's Just Desserts. She has also authored six books, including Rachel Khoo's Sweet and Savoury Pates, Rachel Khoo's Kitchen Notebook, and The Little Swedish Kitchen.
Khoo's passion for patisserie led her to Paris, where she studied at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu and obtained a pastry diploma. She joins the show, saying she is absolutely delighted and "cannot wait to taste all the delicious cakes the bakers make".
Darren Purchese, on the other hand, is a world-renowned pastry chef, author, and the owner and creator behind Melbourne's popular cake and dessert business, Burch & Purchase Sweet Studio. Purchese is famous for his extravagant desserts, incredible cakes, and creations, which have been in demand at some of the country's most prestigious events. He trained at the Savoy Hotel in London and is one of the most sought-after and respected chefs working in Australia today.
The new judges, Khoo and Purchese, bring their own unique expertise and experience to the show, offering a fresh perspective and mentoring twelve new bakers over ten weeks, who take on delicious challenges to test their baking prowess, creativity, and skill.
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Previous judges, Maggie Beer and Matt Moran
The Great Australian Bake Off underwent a significant change for its seventh season, replacing its original judges and hosts. The new judges, renowned pastry chef Darren Purchese and British TV cook and personality Rachel Khoo, replaced the show's previous judges, Maggie Beer and Matt Moran.
Maggie Beer is a 78-year-old restaurateur who made her name as a judge on MasterChef Australia. Beer was reportedly unhappy when network bosses attempted to replace her co-stars before the 2022 season. She was said to have put her foot down to prevent the replacement of her co-panelists, including Moran.
Matt Moran is a well-known figure in the Australian culinary world, having appeared on the UK version of the show and established himself as a beloved judge on the Australian Bake Off alongside Beer. Moran's departure from the show, along with Beer's, marked a new chapter for the baking competition, as it welcomed its new judges and hosts.
The new judges, Purchese and Khoo, brought their own unique styles to the show. Purchese, known for his appearances as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and as the author of five cookbooks, aimed to offer positive criticism and be himself. Khoo, on the other hand, had previously served as a judge on My Kitchen Rules and co-hosted Zumbo's Just Desserts. She expressed her delight at joining the show and her eagerness to taste the bakers' creations.
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Previous hosts, Mel Buttle and Claire Hooper
The Great Australian Bake Off has seen several changes in its judges and hosts over the years. The show's most recent judges, Maggie Beer and Matt Moran, were replaced by renowned pastry chef Darren Purchese and British TV cook and personality Rachel Khoo. The show's original hosts, Mel Buttle and Claire Hooper, were also replaced by Kiwi comedian Cal Wilson and Sydney social media personality and actor Natalie Tran.
Mel Buttle and Claire Hooper were the original hosts of The Great Australian Bake Off when it debuted on Channel Nine in 2013. The show ran on the network for one season before being picked up by Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel in 2015. Buttle is known for her brand of humour, while some viewers found her irritating. Hooper, a comedian, brought her own style of humour to the show as well. The pair were well-liked by viewers, with some considering them to be almost on par with the original hosts of the Great British Bake Off, Mel and Sue.
In 2023, it was announced that Buttle and Hooper would be replaced as hosts by Cal Wilson and Natalie Tran. This change was part of a complete overhaul of the show's ingredients, with new judges and hosts being brought in to refresh the format. While there were earlier reports that Beer was unimpressed when network bosses tried to replace her co-stars ahead of the 2022 season, the show ultimately decided to replace the hosts and judges for Season 7.
The new hosts, Wilson and Tran, bring their own unique backgrounds and personalities to the show. Cal Wilson is a Kiwi comedian, while Natalie Tran is a well-known Sydney social media personality and actor. This new lineup has been well-received by viewers, with the show continuing to be a popular baking competition in Australia.
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New hosts, Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson
The Great Australian Bake Off underwent a major change in 2023, with new hosts and judges. The new hosts were Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson, who joined judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese. The show premiered on 13 June 2023, with 12 new bakers competing in the iconic 'shed'.
Natalie Tran is a comedian, actress, writer, and Australian YouTuber. Her observational comedy videos on YouTube have garnered over half a billion views, and she was the most subscribed-to YouTuber in Australia. Tran has also been a correspondent on The Project and The Weekly. Her acting credits include the internationally acclaimed series Mr Inbetween and the animated series Koala Man, alongside Hugh Jackman and Sarah Snook.
Cal Wilson, who passed away in October 2023, was a comedian, broadcaster, and actress. She was a perennial favourite on TV shows such as Have You Been Paying Attention? and The Project. Wilson was also a writer, having penned brilliant material for actress Rebel Wilson, who described her as 'amazingly talented and amazingly kind'.
The two new hosts brought their unique personalities and skills to the show, with Tran playing the straight woman to Wilson's pyjama-clad sloth in their opening sketch. Tran described the experience of working on the show as 'surreal', and she was devastated by Wilson's death, saying, 'the world is a much sadder place without Cal'.
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Season 7, new format
Season 7 of The Great Australian Bake Off premiered on 13 June 2023, with a new format that included a new set of judges and hosts. The season consisted of 10 episodes, with 12 home bakers taking part in a bake-off to test their baking skills. Each episode had its own theme or discipline, and the bakers were put through three challenges: a signature bake, a technical bake, and a show-stopper.
The new judges for the seventh season were renowned pastry chef Darren Purchese and British TV cook and personality Rachel Khoo. They replaced the show's previous judges, Maggie Beer, Matt Moran, Claire Hooper, and Mel Buttle. The new hosts were comedians Cal Wilson and Natalie Tran.
The seventh season of The Great Australian Bake Off featured a diverse group of bakers from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, with a range of occupations such as bartending, singing, and nursing. The bakers brought their unique flavours and personalities to the show, creating mouth-watering cakes, pies, tarts, pastries, and more.
The season was met with excitement and anticipation from fans, who were eager to see the new judges and hosts in action. The new judges, Darren Purchese and Rachel Khoo, were well-known in the culinary world and brought their expertise and enthusiasm to the show. The hosts, Cal Wilson and Natalie Tran, added their own blend of charisma and humour to the show, with Cal's deep love for the show shining through.
Unfortunately, the seventh season was also marked by a bittersweet tone as it was the last season to feature the beloved comedian and co-host, Cal Wilson, who passed away after a short battle with cancer. Despite the sadness, the show continued with the full support of Cal's family, and the season premiered on 18 September 2024, honouring her memory.
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Frequently asked questions
The show replaced the original judges, Maggie Beer and Matt Moran, with renowned pastry chef Darren Purchese and British TV cook and personality Rachel Khoo.
The new judges on the show are Darren Purchese and Rachel Khoo.
The original judges on the show were Maggie Beer and Matt Moran.
