In a world where the news seems endlessly grim, the time couldnโt be better for a new season of The Great Australian Bake Off. And this year is set to be a real โdoozyโ, judge Darren Purchese says.
โWeโve got a bunch of really diverse, enthusiastic and talented bakers,โ the Melbourne-based chef, 49, tells TV WEEK of the much-loved showโs eighth season. โThere are the usual themed weeks, but also some stuff weโve never done before โ some spooky stuff, some spicy stuff. Itโs going to be a whole lot of fun.โ

In the industry for nearly three decades, Darren is a renowned pastry chef, best-selling cookbook author, a business owner and has appeared in several reality cooking shows such as MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters.
But itโs Bake Off he calls โone of the best jobs Iโve ever hadโ.
โIโve loved it forever,โ he says. โAnd I particularly love the Aussie version, because, number one โ itโs not in a tent [the UK version is filmed in a marquee], weโre in a shed โ I think thatโs pretty Aussie.
โAnd the grounds we shoot on, anyone can walk up. We often have dog walkers popping in โ normally [in other shows], the cameras would move away, but we just let it happen. So youโve got dogs coming in and birds flying around while the bakers are trying to do their showstopper [challenge]. Itโs all quite organic. It has real heart and soul.โ

Darren admits a big part of the showโs heart will be missing this year, with Cal Wilson getting to complete only half of filming of the season. The New Zealand stand-up comedian, author and radio and TV host died of cancer in October last year aged 53.
โWe [the core cast that includes fellow judge Rachel Khoo and host Natalie Tran] werenโt aware of the extent of Calโs illness, and were holding out hope sheโd return, and get better, because we could see she was in pain,โ Darren says.
โWe think about her every day; we love and miss her dearly. We hit it off from day one, and Cal really was the glue. She looked after us all, so it was tough not having that force in there.
โShe was loveliest person. We shared a car to and from the set and became very close. Sheโd give me tips about learning lines and tell me all about the world of entertainment, while Iโd up her knowledge of food.โ

Darren says itโll be difficult to watch the season when it airs.
โItโs bittersweet anytime I see Cal [on TV],โ he says. โIโm not looking forward to seeing her last episode โ I donโt know if Iโll be able to do it. But, towards the end of the season, weโre going to make sure we pay tribute to her unique sparkle and contribution to the show.โ
The Great Australian Bake Off airs Wednesday, September 18, 8.30pm (AEST) on LifeStyle.