Dessert Masters: MasterChef fan favourites return for sweet new spin-off

If the current season of MasterChef has whet your appetite for another serving of culinary reality TV, you’re in luck, because the highly anticipated MasterChef spin-off series, Dessert Masters, has officially commenced filming.

Soon to grace the screens of Channel 10 and 10 Play, this delectable new show brings together ten of Australia's finest pastry chefs, chocolate connoisseurs, and baking experts in a mouth-watering competition to crown the nation's first-ever Dessert Master.

In the world of gourmet cooking shows, expert judges play a pivotal role, and Dessert Masters will be no exception. Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon take their rightful places at the helm as they prepare to take on mouthwatering masterpieces and tempting treats, sampling the most inventive and irresistible desserts Australia has ever witnessed.

Reflecting on the incredible talent ready to put their skills to the test, Melissa Leong said: “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!”

With a star-studded cast that's the crème de la crème of the pastry world, Dessert Masters promises a sugary showdown like no other. With $100,000 at stake, the competition is set to be fierce.

Meet the cast

Meet the 10 talented chefs battling it out to become the nation's first Dessert Master and claim the coveted prize.

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 KOI with 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.

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Morgan Hipworth @morganhipworth

He launched his now iconic Melbourne bakehouse, Bistro Morgan, aged just 15 and it didn’t take long for Morgan Hipworth to 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 and 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?

Revealing he’s been blown away by the prowess of Australia’s purveyors of pastry, judge 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!”

Produced by Endemol Shine Australia, Dessert Masters is a world first for the MasterChef franchise.

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