The Great Australian Bake Off commences production and returns for fifth season on FOXTEL

FOXTEL has commissioned a fifth season of the highly anticipated series The Great Australian Bake Off with BBC Studios to produce the show for the first time in Australia for FOXTEL and the Lifestyle channel.

Culinary icon Maggie Beer and acclaimed chef Matt Moran will return to judge twelve home baking enthusiasts through a series of mouth-watering challenges. Together Maggie and Matt will test the baker's skills and creativity as they tackle delicious desserts, cakes, biscuits, breads and pastries, in a bid to find Australia's best baker.

Comedians Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle are also back to host the fifth season, injecting each episode with a dollop of their trademark humour.

Maggie Beer said: "How exciting that all the gang is back for Bake Off. It's such a special show where the contestants not only dazzle me with their love of baking, but they are so open to continually learn and to help each other. It's a real joy to be involved."

The Great Australian Bake Off, based on an original format created by Love Productions and licensed by BBC Studios distribution, premiered on FOXTEL from 2015 for four seasons.

The fifth season has commenced filming in Sydney, to premiere in 2022, with twelve hopeful amateur bakers donning their aprons and pulling out their rolling pins for 10 mouth-watering episodes, with the winner taking out the title of Australia's best amateur baker in the iconic Bake Off shed.

Wendy Moore, Group General Manager, Lifestyle and FOX ARENA, said: "We are delighted to announce the return of one of Australia's most popular formats and one of our much-loved programs. The Great Australian Bake Off has to be the loveliest, feel-good competition cooking shows ever seen - with great talent, exceptional home bakers and a magical setting that we know our viewers love.

"We are excited to be investing in long-running Australian programming which is one of our great passions and we are very much looking forward to being back in production and working with BBC Studios." 

Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director, Production, BBC Studios ANZ, said: "I'm excited to be producing this incredible show for Australian audiences. There's something about the combination of cake and feel-good entertainment that has proved a winning recipe both here and around the world. We have found the next lot of talented local bakers who will amaze and inspire with their creations." 

The Great Australian Bake Off is a BBC Studios production in Australia for FOXTEL based on a format created by Love Productions and licensed by BBC Studios distribution.

About Foxtel
Foxtel is one of Australia's most innovative and dynamic media companies and home to award winning local drama plus the widest choice in live sport, hit international TV and movies and a host of complete TV seasons to stream On Demand. Foxtel believes in the importance of telling Australian stories, and its ongoing commitment to creating the best in Australian programming has garnered numerous industry awards for its Foxtel Original productions. Foxtel has helped put Australian talent on the world stage with highly acclaimed international exports and it proudly invests in the people who help tell those stories by employing thousands of Australians directly and indirectly across Australia's creative industry. It has also pioneered advancements in entertainment technology with Australia's first live 4K channel; the iQ4 set top box; the Foxtel GO app for mobile devices; streaming service, Foxtel Now and Foxtel broadband, home phone and entertainment bundles. Foxtel is owned by News Corporation (65%) and Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556 (35%).

Media enquiries:
Foxtel Publicity
Victoria Richards
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