I liked season one but season two was less enjoyable, because the justifications behind the ratings of the desserts were confusing at some points and I often felt like the wrong people had to leave. It also seemed like they were favoring one contestant the whole time. Especially the finale of S2 was a disappointment for me, in my opinion, the favoritism really jumped out and the better baker was robbed.
135 Reviews
Annoying assistant
humpow11 January 2018
Ditto on the annoying assistant
madeleineocarroll21 July 2018
I LOVE this show!! Except for Gigi. Her voice is annoying and her role on the show is pointless. If they were trying to cast another "pretty face" for the audience, they failed because she's not that pretty and her voice grates on my nerves. She may be an extremely talented pastry chef, but her existence on this show is useless and annoying as hell.
Love to hate
spinbunny18 June 2018
replace gigi
cwarren2893 August 2018
Very fun and amusing show
sonalliasbal26 November 2017
My daughters (15 and 17) and I all loved watching this show together. The contestants were a range of personalities and we enjoyed the little explanations they filmed that showed what each of them were thinking at the time. And we laughed a lot! Ignore the USA slams... I'd say this is a thoroughly Aussie show and USA viewers just don't get it, esp the humour (no offence, it's just that there's a big cultural difference). I wouldn't let those reviews put anyone off who would enjoy bingeing on a fun baking program with plenty of nail biting tension and good character development. Also, while we do a lot of baking at home, we are really amateurs and so learned about tempering (?) chocolate, choux pastry, and so much more. What these bakers had to do sometimes was frankly incredible! We had several favourite contestants and a couple not so favourite (you know who you are!) We are so sad to see there wasn't another season. Please bring back the dessert factory Zumbo and Rachel!! Remember, as Gigi says....your taaaime staaaarts naaaaaaow!
I don't understand why Gigi is on the show
jarakanda17 August 2018
I came to the comments on this show just to make sure I'm not the only one who doesn't understand Gigi's role on the show or who cringes every time she shouts at the bakers.
I feel bad for her because I'm sure she's been directed by the show's producers to act the way she does, but how could anyone have thought she would be a good addition to the show?
It's still a fun show to watch - I like the formatting with one challenge for all contestants and then one with just two.
I agree with other reviewers that the editing often makes it fairly obvious who's going to win or lose. It also seems like the producers try to get the contestants to say braggy things and then make them look foolish.
I feel bad for her because I'm sure she's been directed by the show's producers to act the way she does, but how could anyone have thought she would be a good addition to the show?
It's still a fun show to watch - I like the formatting with one challenge for all contestants and then one with just two.
I agree with other reviewers that the editing often makes it fairly obvious who's going to win or lose. It also seems like the producers try to get the contestants to say braggy things and then make them look foolish.
Why such big bites??
ahjicharles11 July 2018
I like this show except for a few little things I don't get why they take such huge bites when they're critiquing the desserts. I don't like that they give us score I don't see what that point is I can just say who won or lost. And last I don't like Gigi I think they could do without her, her voice is really annoying.
genius baker or half-wit??
grrace25 August 2019
Ok so this show is decent but i can't help but notice that zumbo let's rachel do all of the talking usually and he stands there smiling and kinda looks like a half-wit.. like what the heck it's his show but he can't talk??? just stands there smiling all dumb and stuff,.
Perfectly fine first season, TERRIBLE second season
a-c-c21 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The first season of this show is a perfectly enjoyable baking challenge show. There's lots of neat desserts, and would be at home on really any cooking channel.
The second season, however, is a frustrating and annoying experience. It becomes clear early on that Catherine is who the judges (producers as well?) want to win the competition. She can do no wrong. They "tut tut" over her mistakes but when she clearly should go into the Zumbo Test, miraculously she doesn't.
I fully expected at the end for her to win, because that's what had been telegraphed all season. What I find infuriating and what has caused me to swear off watching future seasonal (as well as the Zumbo starring Sugar Rush for good measure) is Catherine getting a perfect score. Presumably it was given to avoid a tie and one supposes there was no provisions for her winning in the event of a tie.
All in all, it was an enjoyable series that lost all credibility.
The second season, however, is a frustrating and annoying experience. It becomes clear early on that Catherine is who the judges (producers as well?) want to win the competition. She can do no wrong. They "tut tut" over her mistakes but when she clearly should go into the Zumbo Test, miraculously she doesn't.
I fully expected at the end for her to win, because that's what had been telegraphed all season. What I find infuriating and what has caused me to swear off watching future seasonal (as well as the Zumbo starring Sugar Rush for good measure) is Catherine getting a perfect score. Presumably it was given to avoid a tie and one supposes there was no provisions for her winning in the event of a tie.
All in all, it was an enjoyable series that lost all credibility.
Absolutely brilliant and delicious show!
sorozataddikt13 November 2017
I loved loved loved watching this - really amazing desserts with some real characters, some you will love and some you will haaaaate. Rachel Khoo was trying to liven it up a bit, but Zumbo and Gigi didn't really know how to do an entertainment show - which is absolutely fine as they are chefs! I really was invested in the contestants by the end but most importantly the desserts they made were so beautiful and inspired me to start baking. Watch it in the background while cooking or when you need some inspiration.
Good 1st Season, Disappointing 2nd Season
pattonroxanne11 January 2020
Even with Gigi cracking her whip the first season far outshined the season two.
In the 2nd season it seemed like the final two contestants were preordained to be there. These two could be way off or totally miss the brief yet they still came out ahead.
Destiny, I think not.
In the 2nd season it seemed like the final two contestants were preordained to be there. These two could be way off or totally miss the brief yet they still came out ahead.
Destiny, I think not.
Disappointed in the winner of Season 2
suzannacalev15 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not going to provide any spoilers but I was thoroughly disappointed in the winner of Season 2 because this person did not follow two of the briefs that were given for the Sensation challenge. In my humble opinion, this should have meant an automatic Zumbo Test challenge for the person. They completely missed the point of the briefs and went off and created a dessert they knew the judges (coughZumbocough) would enjoy, but isn't the whole point of a competition that they follow the briefs? What is even the point of having a brief if a contestant can just go off on their own creation and create a dessert with flavors that the judges will enjoy? Isn't the point to do both? So the message you're sending to contestants is that the briefs don't really matter as long as you produce something the judges will enjoy. Think of it like a teacher and a student. If a student completely misses the point of an assignment but writes a well-written paper, the teacher isn't going to just give them a pass. They're going to tell that student to redo the assignment. I don't think it was fair to the other contestants who did follow the briefs.
Poor format, terrible hosts, okay entertainment
antony-113 July 2018
I watched it in the background, while I did other things. It was generally okay, some interesting challenges and some great creations. The contestants for the most part are likeable.
Problem 1 is the format. Half the show is focused on too many contestants, so you never feel like you really get to track and understand a creation. It's more just endless scenes slapped together rather than true narrative. Then half the show is focused on the two failures doing impossible tasks.
It feels the wrong way around. It should be the top two people working on the hardest, perhaps for a mini prize. Or they could count as points for the finale rather than the random numbers plucked out of the air by the hosts.
Either the final bit should be much shorter, or it should focus on the winners. But as it is, literally half of the series is focused on the 'losers'. That feels odd.
Talking of the hosts... Zumbo to me seems decent and honest, but not strong on personality. That why he should have had a good side kick. Rachel is not it. Snide is the word I'd use for her... utterly unlikeable.
I don't have Gigi like some do, but she is pointless. I feel her and Rachel should be one person in the show, and they should generally interact and talk to the contestants. As it is, Gigi shouts and Zumbo and Rachel just stand like statues.
I don't feel Zumbo or Rachel actually even said one word to each other the whole time. They just stared at each other, very strange.
It's fine as a diversion, or background TV... but it feels rather flawed on many levels.
Problem 1 is the format. Half the show is focused on too many contestants, so you never feel like you really get to track and understand a creation. It's more just endless scenes slapped together rather than true narrative. Then half the show is focused on the two failures doing impossible tasks.
It feels the wrong way around. It should be the top two people working on the hardest, perhaps for a mini prize. Or they could count as points for the finale rather than the random numbers plucked out of the air by the hosts.
Either the final bit should be much shorter, or it should focus on the winners. But as it is, literally half of the series is focused on the 'losers'. That feels odd.
Talking of the hosts... Zumbo to me seems decent and honest, but not strong on personality. That why he should have had a good side kick. Rachel is not it. Snide is the word I'd use for her... utterly unlikeable.
I don't have Gigi like some do, but she is pointless. I feel her and Rachel should be one person in the show, and they should generally interact and talk to the contestants. As it is, Gigi shouts and Zumbo and Rachel just stand like statues.
I don't feel Zumbo or Rachel actually even said one word to each other the whole time. They just stared at each other, very strange.
It's fine as a diversion, or background TV... but it feels rather flawed on many levels.
Rachel loves her red lips ,GiGi loves to scream and poor Zumbo looks too shy
maryann45107 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Thought this would be amazing ..but - sadly a mess !! The whole willy wonka idea seemed teally cool .
Rachel loves her red lips and lipstick ....she makes a big show of them while talking ( all about her mouth ) watching her EAT huge spoons of the dessert is just irritating. Everything about her is her mouth ..yuck
GiGi screaming looking like she is ready to attack all around her .
Zumbo seems like a really nice guy ..but too shy for a competition show .
Poor Ali was on a ledge the whole competition.....Kate was very laid back ..
Daniel was scuzzy the entire show ..delusional about himself
Annoying hosts
shelley-morningstar28 January 2020
Fun to Watch and Actually Focuses -Just- on Desserts (not Drama!)
kris288713 November 2017
I am not a foodie or an aspiring pastry chef, but seeing these contestants create novel, intricate desserts on the spot was pretty awe-inspiring.
At the end of each episode, the two bottom scorers have the daunting task of recreating a Zumbo dessert; whoever comes closest to recreating the dessert gets to live onto the next episode. These are real nail-biter challenges, since each dessert comes with a steep time limit, 20 layers and a novel of ingredients and instructions, often filled with techniques the contestants have never tried before. There's also a 50% chance the dessert will topple over by the time it reaches the judge's table...
This is a light, fluffy (sponge-y?) show that was easy for me to binge. I adored most of the contestants--they all had a clear passion for making desserts. On any competitive reality show like this, it's nice when you get to see them actually -create- stuff, and there's almost no inter-contestant drama--pretty refreshing!
At the end of each episode, the two bottom scorers have the daunting task of recreating a Zumbo dessert; whoever comes closest to recreating the dessert gets to live onto the next episode. These are real nail-biter challenges, since each dessert comes with a steep time limit, 20 layers and a novel of ingredients and instructions, often filled with techniques the contestants have never tried before. There's also a 50% chance the dessert will topple over by the time it reaches the judge's table...
This is a light, fluffy (sponge-y?) show that was easy for me to binge. I adored most of the contestants--they all had a clear passion for making desserts. On any competitive reality show like this, it's nice when you get to see them actually -create- stuff, and there's almost no inter-contestant drama--pretty refreshing!
Good show but that assistant, Gigi has got to go.
leeloulindsey12 December 2019
I love cooking shows like this. I do enjoy this Australian version except for one thing. That assistant Gigi. She is incredibly irritating. Her only purpose is to yell & to intimidate the contestants in an almost mean girl fashion. I rarely do this but I find myself yelling at the screen for her to shut up & leave them alone. All in all a good show if you can tolerate Gigi. The great British Baking Show is better though. Lol. At least their assistants are nice & funny.
The show is so rigged!! Spoiler alert
aprilmom-6805017 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Season 2 is so frustrating!!!!
If your expecting to watch an actual competition...think again. I was disappointed that one contestant wasn't judged the same as others.. for example she didn't follow the instructions in two rounds but managed to stay out of the zumbo test? And the finale... what a joke... she messed a lot on different elements where the other contestant only had one wrong element and she got a perfect score (the only one given in the entire show). Let's just say if there is a season 3 I'm not watching !
So frustrating!!
krae-5929010 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
All of the bakers were so genuine and nice and the people running the show just seemed so rude. In the FIRST episode the bakers are told to make a dish as a reflection of themselves and Wendy saw herself as simple and classic, so that's what she made. Zumbo and Khoo tore her apart because it was too simple. But holy heck, wasn't the point to be a reflection of yourself? Who are they to criticize? They don't know her, and I'm sure they don't care to. Gigi only comes around to knock people off their horses. She is never helpful, she makes everyone more anxious which is so rude. She should be there to maybe be support or guidance for these AMATEUR BAKERS WHO ARE TRYING THEIR BEST! She's just there to add a pretty face who I can't even look at as too attractive because all she does is yell. I try not to judge books by covers but the only way she is portrayed upsets me and I wish she seemed kinder. Also, in every episode you know who comes out on top and on the bottom. That's always who they focus on. It's never a surprise, which just kind of stinks because it would be exciting to have no clue. One baked, Amie, the show never gave her a good interview or discussion until literally the FOURTH episode. I was watching and I saw her and I was like, heck, who is this girl now? I mean, she was there, they just never focused on her until she did something spectacular. And they don't focusp on anyone expect for just then or when they suck...or when they are only trying to express themselves but their form of expression is wrONG. The bakers are all so talented. More talented than most who watch it, and that's what's kept me going, to see who really deserved the title. I really liked Kate but Ali really deserved that win. She was the top baker the most and Kate was in the bottom two the most. So Ali always did better and lost by just one point. I feel like whoever was in charge of this show really targeted who they wanted to win and it was all judged on two people's (Zumbo and Khoo's) tastebuds, which is not the most fair way to do it because like, I love red velvet but they didn't seem to, which at one point was part of why somebody was thrown into a Zumbo test. Also, it definitely took Zumbo longer than the amount of time contestants were given to bake...like...really...how in the heck? I will stop now, my little liberal heart can not take it. Everyone should have a chance to not be knocked down. It feels unfair and I'm all for equality.
Please choose a different co-host than Rachel Khoo
fmdc-1602411 January 2020
I have literally nothing bad to say about the show other than two words- Rachel Khoo. She is literally the most obnoxious person I've ever seen. Having to watch her take bites of the desserts genuinely makes me want to jump off a cliff. I get that she's trying not to mess up her lipstick but I have a pro tip. DONT WEAR LIPSTICK THEN B***H. She also just irks me by the way she talks in general. I also read an article about how big of a twit she was behind the scenes because she didn't get some fancy superstar treatment. And I believe it because she seems like an uppity little brat. So ya, to me she ruins the entire show.
Why is Gigi there?
priyaramnathan16 January 2018
Gigi is annoying!!....I've only watched the first episode of Season 1 so far. I thought Gigi was brought on to help the contestants? All she did was get one of the contestants to get very nervous and keep yelling out the time out so loud! Annoying beyond belief. She needs to go. I'm glad others agree with me as well. Otherwise the show is quite nice - I was especially interested in seeing the outcome of everyone's desserts. So beautiful. Is there a place where these recipes are shared? I'd love to try some of them especially Zumbo's test at the end...
Decent show that entertains but just misses
doruksesli12 January 2020
This show is decent and mostly entertains but it has it's problems such as annoying contestants and worst of all the judge Rachel Choo (or something) is just the most annoying, rude and arrogant judge I've ever seen on a reality show!
I would recommend this show to people who don't have anything else to do or watch as a way to entertain them.
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