Dessert Masters on 10 – A Nature Challenge That Saw Two Contestants Leaf. Kay-Lene Tan And Kirsten Tibballs Eliminated From Dessert Masters.
Dessert Masters kitchen for a semi-final that would leave only three grand finalists remaining. The contestants had to take inspiration from the forest around them and bring the judges a sweet dish inspired by nature in only three hours.
Reynold chose to create a chocolate log in a rainforest. He knew his biggest challenge was balancing the fragrant flavours he was working with and courageously, he recreated the sugar tuilles from the Martin Benn pressure test that sent him home from the semi-final in MasterChef season 12. At tasting, Amaury thought Reynold hit the visual and flavour brief.
Jess’s ambitious concept was a realistic looking bonsai tree with flavours that reflected the Japanese theme: matcha, yuzu and black sesame. She worked at a frantic pace and the final dish was nothing short of incredible.
The judges complimented the light sponge and the contrast of texture with the black sesame and the yuzu mousse.
Gareth chose to create a riverbed scene with stones, twigs and soil. He took a significant risk with the flavour profile using two savoury ingredients, truffle and Jerusalem artichoke.Amaury wasn’t sold on the flavours but Gareth was confident his sweet elements would offset the earthiness. Upon tasting, Amaury liked the visual impact of the dish, but both he and Mel felt it was still very savoury, leaving Gareth at risk of elimination.
Kay-Lene made a dish inspired by the changing seasons playing on the imagery of white snow melting away. Not wanting to take any risks tonight, she worked hard to get all her elements perfectly finished. When tasting, Amaury thought the dish was beautifully crafted, but looked and tasted dry. As delicious as the elements were, the ratios of dry to moist weren’t right, which ultimately led to Kay-Lene’s elimination from the competition.
Kirsten set out to create her most ambitious dish yet; involving a chocolate and passionfruit entremet surrounded by a chocolate birdcage sculpture. With just two minutes to go she moved her assembled birdcage onto the plate, but it hit the side of the bench and collapsed before her eyes. All contestants ran to comfort an understandably emotional Kirsten who knew that this mistake could cost her a place in the competition. Tasting the entremets, the judges complemented her perfect glaze and neat, stacked layers. The flavours were well balanced but given the three-hour challenge, the entremet without the birdcage was not enough, unfortunately sending the chocolate queen home.
Dessert Masters on 10 And 10 Play – continues tomorrow at 7.30pm
Dessert Masters on 10
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Dessert Masters on 10
Dessert Masters on 10 – About the Show
Soufflé Hello To Your Dessert Masters. Who Will Prove Themselves And Who Will Melt Under Pressure?
Be still our beating tarts, filming is officially underway for the delicious debut series of Dessert Masters. Coming soon to 10 and 10 Play, this mouth-watering series will see 10 of Australia’s most decorated pastry chefs, chocolate connoisseurs and baking experts whisk it all to be named Australia’s first ever Dessert Master.
Like cinnamon and sugar, some pairings are perfection, and our judges are no exception. Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon are ready to taste their way through what will be some of the most inventive and irresistible desserts Australia has ever seen.
Reflecting on the incredible talent ready to put their skills to the test, Melissa Leong said:
“Our cast for Dessert Masters is a loaded-to-the-gills, top-of-the-pops, créme de la créme of Australia’s pastry industry. It doesn’t get any better, more high calibre, more magical than these chefs, who all bring their own unique take on sweet creations to their own worlds, and now, to ours. I am beyond thrilled – and honoured – to be working with such brilliant, talented and generous people… but boy do I have my work cut out for me!”
Revealing he’s been blown away by the prowess of Australia’s purveyors of pastry, Amaury Guichon said:
“I am so happy to be in Australia to experience its unique pastry scene and be a part of Dessert Masters. What I’ve experienced so far, I haven’t seen in a long time – a tight knit community of chefs who share great camaraderie, skill and passion for their craft. This is a once in a lifetime cast of incredibly talented Australian pastry chefs and it is an honour to be judging them. Their creations are so good, I think the audience will want to lick the television screen!”
With such seriously sweet talent battling it out to be the nation’s first Dessert Master, and with $100,000 on the line, the stiff peaks are high. So, are you ready to meet the 10 chefs vying for that cherry on top?
Kirsten Tibballs @kirstentibballs
Kirsten Tibballs is one of Australia’s most celebrated pastry chefs and chocolatiers, earning her the nickname of “The Chocolate Queen”. Having founded Savour School to share her incredible knowledge with first-timers through to sweet-specialists, Kirsten has authored sell-out cookbooks and is a fan-favourite guest chef on MasterChef Australia. Internationally recognised for her talents, can Kirsten add the Dessert Masters trophy to her collection?
Reynold Poernomo @reynoldpoer
After mesmerising audiences in his debut appearance on MasterChef Australia in 2015, Reynold Poernomo was dubbed the nation’s “Dessert King” thanks to his wizardry in the kitchen. Since opening his dessert bar KOIwith his mother and brothers, as well as Monkey’s Corner, Reynold has developed a cult following and spends his days creating and perfecting desserts that look almost too good to eat.
Anna Polyviou @annapolyviou
From the kitchen to the jungle, Anna Polyviou and her distinctive mohawk are now walking through the Dessert Masters doors, putting her unmatched creativity to the ultimate test. She’s won countless prestigious awards in the culinary industry, but the pièce de résistance would be taking home the title of Australia’s first ever Dessert Master.
Adriano Zumbo @thesweetassassin
Adriano Zumbo is one of Australia’s most celebrated pâtissiers. He introduced the nation to the croquembouche and made macarons a household name. As Australia’s answer to Willy Wonka, Adriano is ready to bring his quirky creations to life in his quest to take home sweet, sweet Dessert Masters victory.
Jess Liemantara @_jesslemon_
She was the youngest contestant in the 2020 season of MasterChef Australia, but that didn’t stop Jess Liemantara from standing out against her fellow contestants and blowing the judges away with her delightful dishes. The pastry chef is known for creating colourful cakes and picture-perfect pastries and hopes to delight the judges with her signature skills in the Dessert Masters kitchen.
Morgan Hipworth @morganhipworth
He launched his now iconic Melbourne bakehouse, Bistro Morgan, aged just 15 and it didn’t take long for Morgan Hipworthto carve out a reputation as “The Donut King”. With an eye for visually striking creations and a taste for unique flavour combinations, it’s safe to say that Morgan will be a tough competitor alongside his industry idols.
Kay-Lene Tan @kaylenetan_
Having trained under decorated chef Joël Robuchon, Kay-Lene Tan has worked as a pastry chef at some of the most prestigious and delicious restaurants around the world. Currently an Executive Pastry Chef, Kay-Lene loves to create dishes that evoke memories and she plans to draw upon her expansive experience to trifle the competition.
Andy Bowdy @andybowdy
His mission was to make cakes taste as good as they look and correct the cream-to-cake ratio, and holy dooley did Andy Bowdy deliver. His desserts have won trophies, accolades and the hearts of his customers and now he’s ready to break the chocolate mould to take home the highest of achievements.
Rhiann Mead @rhiannmeadpastry
Now Head Pastry Chef at The Charles in Sydney, Rhiann Mead formerly held the same post at iconic Sydney restaurant, Bennelong, and ran the pastry section at Quay under Executive Chef Peter Gilmore. Her job requires a huge variety of pastry skills and techniques, from precise piping, baking to intricate sugar and chocolate work, Rhiann looks set to whip up the competition.
Gareth Whitton @gareddio
He was the Head Pastry Chef at Dinner By Heston Blumenthal (Melbourne) and now Gareth Whitton is the not-so-anonymous founder and Pastry Chef of Tarts Anon. With over 15 years of experience working alongside some of the world’s most renowned chefs, will the competition see Gareth rise to the challenge or crumble under pressure?
Produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company), Dessert Masters is a world first for the MasterChef franchise.
Dessert Masters on 10
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Dessert Masters on 10
