The most wholesome show ever made was back in 2024 – and it was as sweet as pie. Yep, The Great Australian Bake Off returned for Season 7 and saw a cohort of budding bakers head into the shed to battle it out in the loveliest competition we’ve set our eyes on.
While the season is officially finished for the year, it’s always hard not to feel happy and warm when watching Bake Off—whether it’s the Aussie rendition or the original British version from across the pond. As the weeks went on, competitors baked pastries, cakes, and breads to win the big prize.
The 2024 season was particularly emotional after the sad passing of the late Cal Wilson. She passed away in October following a short battle with cancer at the age of 53. She had already filmed four episodes of Season 8.
While the competition is largely feel-good, there’s always a sad side to it, with the reality that one hopeful baker needed to be sent home each week. Ahead, everyone who was sadly sent home from The Great Australian Bake Off Season 7.
The Great Australian Bake Off winner
Arvin Garcia
Arvin Garcia was officially crowned the winner of The Great Australian Bake Off 2024. The 36-year-old’s ‘Rising Phoenix’ cake scored him the win.
“Winning Bake Off feels like a dream come true! Standing here with Dimi and Elliot, two amazing bakers, is such an honour,” Arvin began in a press release.
“This journey has been so meaningful – not just pushing my creativity and skills, but sharing a bit of my culture and story through my bakes. Every moment has been unforgettable, and I’ll carry these memories with me forever.”
In addition to the title, Arvin took home the ultimate baker’s kitchen from SMEG.
Who was eliminated from The Great Australian Bake Off
Week 9 Elimination: Dimi Jayamardene
Dimi Jayamardene was eliminated during the grand finale of The Great Australian Bake Off 2024.
Week 9 Elimination: Elliot Styche
Elliot Styche was eliminated during the grand finale of The Great Australian Bake Off 2024.
Week 8 Elimination: Laurina
In Patisserie Week, our contestants were challenged to create all manner of sweet treats, like tarts, and unfortunately, Laurina Bowlen was the baker to be sent home.
“What I learnt from being in the shed is just how strong-minded I am. I never ever wanted to give up, even when everything was going wrong. I just wanted to finish and be proud of my bakes.”
Judge Rachel Khoo said of Lauren: “She is so joyful, so colourful, really creative!”
She’ll certainly be missed.
Week 7 Elimination: Adrian
Week 7 was Italian Week on The Great Australian Bake Off, and our bakers were challenged to produce pizza and other buonissimi sweet treats.
Sadly, at the end of this week, we saw Adrian sent home from the shed.
“This baker’s ambition has led to some truly memorable bakes,” host Natalie Tran shared.
“…And they have a wonderfully wicked way with words. We are really going to miss them around the shed.”
In response to leaving Bake Off, Adrian told producers, “Obviously [I’m] really sad to be leaving the shed, but I’m really proud of myself.
“I can’t wait to put all of my skills that I’ve learned here in the shed into what comes next.”
Week 6 Elimination: Molly
Molly was sent home during Spice Week on The Great Australian Bake Off.
“This gets harder as we say goodbye to a talented Baker, who we’ve grown to love,” host Natalie Tran said during the elimination.
Molly shared a post-elimination Instagram post celebrating her time on the show.
” I will cherish this experience forever and am so proud of everything I have been able to do whilst in the shed with you all 🫶🫶,” she wrote.
Week 5 Elimination: Melisa
Melisa was the fourth Bake Off contestant to be sent home.
“Unfortunately, I also have the sad task of sharing who will be leaving us this evening,” host Natalie began at the week five elimination.
“We will deeply miss this baker for so many reasons. The song in their heart, the smile on their face, and the stories of the world they put in everything they create.”
“It’s with great sadness that tonight we say goodbye to Melisa.”
Melisa left with a smile on her face, telling the camera that she had “so much fun” on the show.
“It has been a dream come true in so many ways,” she said.
“I’ve baked 18 different things. I won two technicals. I got Star Baker. So I am so proud of myself.”
Week 4 Elimination: Jason
Jason was the third contestant eliminated from The Great Australian Bake Off.
“This leaves me with the sad job of announcing the baker whose days in the shed have come to an end,” Cal said during the episode.
“This baker has been a delight. Every week, they’ve taken us on a wild ride. From the beautiful grasp of their flavours to their ability to pull out a masterpiece in a few minutes,” she continued.
“They’ve really performed some magic. That’s why we’re really going to miss Jason.”
Despite being eliminated, Jason said he was “really happy” with his last bake on the show and was glad he went out with a cake that he was proud of.
Week 3 Elimination: No one
In a surprising update, judge Darren Purchese shared that in the spirit of fairness, no contestants would be eliminated for Back to Basics week. This was due to an electrical fault that left Laurina without the tools to properly fulfil the requirements of the challenge.
Darren shared that in that same spirit of fairness, however, two people would be eliminated from the competition in the following week.
Week 2 Elimination: Vicki
Government Officer Vicki was the second person sent home on The Great Australian Bake Off. Host Natalie Tran tearfully broke the news.
“Each day, they filled the shed with sweetness and joy, and we are so sorry to say goodbye to Vicki,” she said.
Vicki said she was honoured to be a part of the show.
“I’m sad to be going, but at the same time, I’m just so excited that I got the experience in the first place. Meeting some amazing people and just giving it my all and having a great time,” she said.
Week 1 Elimination: Jill
Episode 1 saw a bunch of bakers battle it out for the first challenge of the season: Cake Week!
But it was a rough start for Jill, who, despite having a lovely tasting cake in the first challenge, was critiqued for the lack of icing and that it might be “too simple”.
The second blind challenge asked for a lemon curd cake, with Jill scoring the 5th spot.
The third ‘showstopper’ challenge required contestants to create an epic two-tiered birthday cake with beautiful decorations.
But things went downhill after her pina colada cake toppled over just moments before bringing it to the judges.
The judges were heartbroken for her, given how much hard work she had put in. They shared that the cake tasted delicious, but unfortunately, due to the pineapple jam, the cake had lost its structure and fallen over, clearly not delivering on the looks department.
“Straight away, this baker gave us a feeling of home,” judge Cal Wilson said when the time came to announce the elimination. “And their warmth and humour are proof that some classics never go out of style.”
“We are so sorry to say goodbye to Jill.”
It was a teary farewell. However, Jill remained in high spirits.
“I feel great,” Jill said. “I’ve had a really good time, and I actually learned a lot from the other bakers too.”
The 70-year-old from New South Wales had a passion for baking cakes and said that entering the Bake Off shed had been a dream of hers.
You can watch The Great Australian Bake Off every week Wednesday at 8:30pm on BINGE. You can also stream episodes from Season 7 on BINGE.
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