Sweet dreams do come true

THE new season of The Great Australian Bake Off will feature a local face as part of the cooking competition’s screening.

Set to show off his flair with the flan, Gol Gol’s own Adrian Barilà is one of 12 contestants competing to be crowned Australia’s best amateur baker.

A performer by profession, Barilà said his passion for baking was a credit to his upbringing.

“It kind of sparked from growing up in an Italian household, and learning from my mum,” he said.

“I spent until 18 in the area, and there was always cakes and biscuits at different celebrations, it’s so multicultural.

“I think being surrounded by so much wonderful produce, and being exposed to such a variety of cuisines and people really helped develop my overall knowledge of food.”

Barilà said the new season of Bake Off had a lot of heart.

“Baking means so much to so many different people,” he said.

“Family or tradition are often a massive part, people being able to showcase their creativity and cultural background.

“It comes through everything they make with their hands.”

Barilà said his favourite part about being on the show was taking the chance to push himself.

“Having the opportunity to try new skills, and develop new recipes was amazing,” he said.

“I might not otherwise have had those chances in my day-to-day baking life.”

Having first auditioned for the show in 2014, Barilà said he made a few more attempts in the years following.

“Like anything, you have to try until you make it,” he said.

“Being on the show is a dream, everyone was so lovely and supportive.

“It was a really wonderful environment for us to be able to showcase our passions.”

The Great Australian Bake Off will premiere on Foxtel and Binge Wednesday, September 18 at 8:30pm.

Digital Editions


  • Communities encouraged to speak up

    Communities encouraged to speak up

    VICTORIAN Farmers Federation is calling on regional community members to make submissions to the Murray Darling Basin Plan Review. Consultation for the 2026 review opened…

More News

  • Farrer race apporaches

    Farrer race apporaches

    NINE candidates are in the race for Farrer as the upcoming by-election draws near. Submissions to enter the race officially closed at 12pm yesterday with the final list being declared…

  • Jilliby Nitro powers to Cup glory

    Jilliby Nitro powers to Cup glory

    REJUVENATED country cups campaigner Jilliby Nitro has continued his remarkable run, storming home to win Saturday night’s $40,000 CA Fitness Mildura Pacing Cup and capping off a huge weekend for…

  • Jail for trespass and police assault

    Jail for trespass and police assault

    A MAN has been jailed for four months for trespassing and assaulting police officers. The Mildura Magistrates’ Court heard Sam Noun had been on bail when he loitered around Mildura’s…

  • ‘Delusional’ man likely to face ‘significant’ jail term

    ‘Delusional’ man likely to face ‘significant’ jail term

    A MILDURA man who had delusional beliefs random women were in love with him is likely to face a “significant jail sentence” when the matter returns in May following an…

  • Breast screening in Wentworth

    Breast screening in Wentworth

    BREASTSCREEN NSW will bring its mobile screening service to Wentworth this month, offering free services to eligible women. In New South Wales one in seven women is predicted to develop…

  • Regulators investigate SA vineyards

    Regulators investigate SA vineyards

    SOUTH Australia’s wine vineyards have seen a rise in surprise inspections as regulators push to identify unlawful labour hire practices. The surprise inspections have been conducted in a combined effort…

  • Hay danger through cooler conditions

    Hay danger through cooler conditions

    PRODUCERS are being urged to continue monitoring stored hay during the cooler conditions as lingering moisture can result in rising heat. The severe heat is due to microbial activity in…

  • Torney accused of negligent manslaughter

    Torney accused of negligent manslaughter

    FORMER Mildura man John Torney will face trial in the Supreme Court in August this year on a charge of negligent manslaughter in relation to the death of a 49-year-old…

  • Mildura hosts music licensing roadshow

    Mildura hosts music licensing roadshow

    ONEMusic Australia is hitting the roads in the Mallee this month to ensure local businesses are aware of laws around playing music on their premises. OneMusic is a music rights…

  • Persistent breaches on bail

    Persistent breaches on bail

    A MAN was nine days post-bail on conditions to comply with an intervention order when he called his on-and-off-again partner a “whore” before throwing a wooden drawer with kitchen utensils…