It’s been just over 12 months since The Great Australian Bake Off wrapped its 2023 season.
For this new season, the judges are global culinary icon Rachel Khoo and Australia’s King of Pastry, chef Darren Purchese. The series is hosted by comedians Natalie Tran and the late Cal Wilson.
Season seven of The Great Australian Bake Off sees 12 amateur baking enthusiasts put through a series of challenges over 10 weeks.
The Great Australian Bake Off Season 7 will premiere on Wednesday, 18th September at 8.30pm AEST on Foxtel and Binge, with episodes dropping weekly at 8.30pm AEST on both platforms.
See also: Foxtel reveals launch date and drops trailer for S7 The Great Australian Bake Off
As a tribute to Cal Wilson, who passed away before The Great Australian Bake Off season was finished, Mediaweek has spoken to the judges and producers of the series about the much-loved TV host.
The Great Australian Bake Off host Cal Wilson.
Top image: Wilson with Rachel Khoo, Darren Purchese and Natalie Tran.
Working on the set with Cal Wilson
Darren Purchese, Judge
“Cal was always bringing her unique sparkle and sunshine to set. She was everyone’s friend and genuinely took time to get to know everyone. She would always want to support crew members in their passions and would invite us to go and see a show or a play or production that someone was working on to support them.
“Cal was always generous with gifting and would leave thoughtful gifts to people and was always the person rallying round to get us to chip in for a birthday pressie or thank you to someone in production. Personally, she supported me and my passions and helped me in front of the camera with line learning tips and to hear my crummy puns.”
Rachel Khoo, Judge
“There were so many things I looked forward to when working with Cal. Her boundless energy and infectious positivity were constants, no matter the weather or how long the day had been. She always had a way of brightening up the room and finding the silver lining in every situation.
“I’ll never forget meeting her for the first time. She was the ultimate gift-giver, and it was clear she had a real knack for it. Just after I had a baby, she gifted me a set of baby bibs with vibrant New Zealand animals – all bright and colourful. Because that’s Cal, she was always wearing something bright, always colourful and never in black. That really kind of said something about her personality – she was always upbeat, always bright.”
Cal and Natalie
Natalie Tran, Host
“Every morning Cal would have a joke ready to go for when we were presented with our earpieces. They come in a tiny box and for the first season we worked together Cal would pretend it was an engagement ring whenever it was presented to her. She would say things like ‘I think we’re rushing it!’ or be shocked with a hand over her heart.
“At the season finale she got on her knee and presented a toy engagement ring and I thought that was brilliant. This last season she would pretend it was a tiny box of chocolates and was saying things like ‘Oh! Hazelnut’ or ‘I really shouldn’t, I’m on a diet.’
“I looked forward to whatever she’d come up with every day and never wanted to miss it. She was a natural performer and contributed so much positivity and fun to the set. The Queen of Improv.”
Cal Wilson loves the bakers
Darren Purchese, Judge
“Cal loved the bakers, she always said they are the stars of the show and would spend time with them and learn their stories. She was so lovely and would meet bakers outside of production for coffee or dinner and even attended a viewing of the finale with the three finalists from our first season. Cal was genuine, beautiful and the best person – I miss her terribly.”
Rachel Khoo, Judge
“I always knew she took her time to say hello, to talk to the bakers, to get to know them, to talk to them both on and off camera. She was really attentive and very considerate about each of the bakers and their welfare and how they were feeling. She really cared about them.”
Natalie Tran, Host
“Cal made everyone feel safe and heard – the crew, her castmates, the bakers. She radiated warmth and understanding. I remember one of the bakers having a tough day and Cal took them aside and reassured them that they were doing brilliantly because they were doing two really difficult things – creating an amazing bake and starring in a TV show. She always knew how to lift people up.”
Baker Melisa with Darren, Rachel and Cal
Producers on casting Cal Wilson for Bake Off
Wendy Moore, Executive Director, Entertainment Content and Channels, Foxtel
“What drew us all to Cal Wilson immediately was her unique mix of warmth, energy and kindness. She had such an incredibly quick wit, and she was so excited about being in the Bake Off shed. She loved baking, and she loved all the bakers, her natural charm and relatable presence immediately put the bakers at ease, and we knew she would really connect with our audience. Cal brought a fresh, comedic flair to the show, perfectly complementing the warmth and expertise of our judges.
“She just kicked it out of the park in her role – she exceeded our expectations and helped create a new Bake Off family. Her quick humour and heartfelt interactions with the bakers added an extra layer of joy to the series, making it an absolute delight to watch. We are incredibly grateful for the time we had with Cal and the magic she brought to the shed. We miss her dearly.”
Emily Commens, Executive Producer, BBC Studios Productions Australia
“All the production team loved working with Cal. She was a true joy and brought so much to the show, both on and off-screen. Cal loved being in the shed and she had an infectious energy that was genuinely uplifting to be around and you can see that reflected in the show.
“She was the ultimate professional even when she was unwell. She was incredibly generous as a performer and as a friend and was famous for the gifts she made and gave, from cupcake badges to baby booties and bibs. Cal adored Natalie, Rachel and Darren and each year Cal welcomed the bakers with open arms, she was always the first person to step in and hug them any time they needed a pick me up. Cal was a shining light and the Bake Off team will always hold her in our hearts.”
See also: Remembering comedian, writer, and actor Cal Wilson who has died aged 53