Ipswich home baker to compete for Australia’s Best Amateur Baker title

Ipswich local Gavin Turner is ready to compete in the most prestigious amateur baker competition on national TV.

Ipswich local Gavin Turner usually only has an audience of a few friends when he unveils his baking creations, but soon he will be judged by Australia’s best pastry chefs on national TV.

The Ipswich City Council customer service team leader has won a spot on The Great Australian Bake Off.

The 58-year-old’s passion for baking began with his mum as a kid and at his local bakery.

“I’ve always been baking and that stems from childhood days when owners of the Evans Head Bakery – where my family were from – I used to go over there and do things in the pastry and bread house,” Mr Turner said.

“They’re (my friends are) just (so) excited to see how I went and the hardest part is keeping the secret of everything that’s involved with the show.

“I haven’t let many people know I have been on the show other than close family and work.”

Longtime family friend Gary McDonald of the McDonald’s Bakery at Evans Head, in northern NSW, is excited to see how far his friend progresses on the show.

“Gavin‘s family would holiday at Evans Head … and from the age of seven or eight Gav would spend his holiday at the bakery, especially the pastry and cake bakehouse,” Mr McDonald said.

“From greasing trays to asking about the ingredients in a sponge cake, Gav was always asking questions and was interested in all workings of the bakehouse.

“We always knew baking would be an important part of his life.”

Mr Turner said his creativity shown on the show stemmed from his love for baking for friends and for family birthdays.

Gavin Turner's brilliant cakes are ready to dazzle judges on The Great Australian Bake Off.

“I’m always baking for someone, whether that be for a family member or just morning teas for work,” he said.

“I’ve been making cakes for years for people for different special occasions.

“I made a lighthouse for my cousin’s 50th … or if it‘s a children’s one (birthday) having dinosaurs on the cake or my granddaughter had a fairy cake.

“I specialise in chocolate mud cakes or old fashion sponge cakes – I like the old fashioned recipes.

“And that sort of evolved over the years to being a creative and adding a 3D element to my bake and that’s always been the case.

Gavin Turner's brilliant cakes are ready to dazzle judges on The Great Australian Bake Off.

Although he could not say much about the upcoming season of show he recalled how special it was to meet the judges and other contestants for the first time.

“A special moment was meeting Darren Purchese and Rachel Khoo the hosts … they are very happy and vibrant people,’’ he said.

“Also meeting Maggie Beer, she actually came back from last year … it was just fantastic.

“The tips they give you throughout the bakes is very rewarding.

Gavin Turner on series 6 of The Great Australian Bake Off, with judges Darren Purchese and Rachel Khoo, and host Cal Wilson.

Mr Turner said it was daunting going on the show as a male baker, but recommended the experience to other men interested in the industry.

“Just have a go – I never thought I would have a chance in the world and I got on the show, especially being a male baker,’’ he said.

“It’s really rewarding to know there’s thousands of applicants and I was selected to be one of the 12.

“Predominantly there’s a lot more females bakers than men.

“Being involved with others who have the same passion that you have and seeing what they produce as well is really exciting and great to taste.”

See Gavin Turner’s baking adventure on The Great Australian Bake Off as it returns Tuesdays at 8.30pm from June 13 on FOXTEL.