Dessert Masters announces cast

MasterChef: Dessert Masters is set to wrap production this week for 10 in Melbourne.

The series sees Melissa Leong and international chef Amaury Guichon (School of Chocolate) as judges.

Offering a $100,000 prize, the ‘short run’ series will serve up pastry, desserts and all things sweet.

The competing cast includes Adriano Zumbo, Kirsten Tibballs, Reynold Poernomo, Anna Polyviou, Jess Liemantara, Morgan Hipworth, Kay-Lene Tan, Andy Bowdy, Rhiann Mead and Gareth Whitton.

Meanwhile casting is set to begin for contestants on a 16th season of MasterChef Australia for 2024, but a decision on Jock Zonfrillo’s replacement will not be considered until later this year.

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!”

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!”

Dessert Masters will screen later this year.

Kirsten Tibballs
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

This post updates.