The Great Australian Bake Off judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese reveal their secret guide to the best bakeries in Sydney

The Great Australian Bake Off judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese know their pastry and their cakes. When they filmed their latest season in Sydney, they sniffed out our best bakeries.

Lamingtons with a twist at Tokyo Lamington. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

If anyone knows good pastry, it’s the expert judges from The Great Australian Bake Off.

English cook Rachel Khoo and British Chef, via Melbourne, Darren Purchese spent months in Sydney filming the Foxtel reality cooking show and when not filming, they were eating.

The two, along with new hosts Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson, spent their weekends sampling Sydney’s best culinary treats – both sweet and savoury.

“I don’t care whether you cook or not, but you have to love to eat and we all love to eat, so we immediately bonded,” said Khoo of her time filming.

“I’m so dedicated to finding good pastries!

Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese from Great Australian Bake Off. Source: Supplied

Purchese, who has Melbourne’s Birch & Purchese Sweet Studio, added the group’s foodie adventures helped them click onscreen.

“Having not worked together before it can sometimes take time to form a bond, but that was not the case with myself, Rachel, Cal and Natalie,” he said.

The Great Australian Bake Off hosts and judges during their foodie tour of Sydney. Source: Supplied

“We clicked straight away, and I reckon it was some of the amazing meals we had as a foursome that brought us together quicker.

“We are still trying to get Cal to eat sprouts but apart from that we are all on the same wavelength.”

RACHEL KHOO’S PICKS

Tenacious Croissant, Darlinghurst

“A classic French patisserie, but with a twist on it, in terms of flavours. I really loved the Pandoro which is flaky on the outside and has a red bean paste and then a vanilla cream on the inside and is dusted with a Korean roasted soybean powder.

“It was out of this world and like nothing I have tasted before.

“I recommended it to the rest of the cast and then Darren went and met the pastry chef, and I was like “you managed to speak with the pastry chef!” and he got a selfie with him.”

Fairy Bread Lamington. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Tokyo Lamington, Newtown

“The fairy bread popcorn lamington had to be my favourite. I mean, you can get lamingtons everywhere but if you want a lamington on another level in terms of the perfect sponge and then really interesting fillings then Tokyo Lamington is your place.

“They are not overly sweet and are well-balanced, and the fillings are just amazing.

“I had a driver who I asked if he could pick me up earlier so I could pop in and buy some before heading to set and brought them to set for the cast and crew to try.”

Pictured at Lodes Pies in Surry Hills today is the $20 Lumi Pithivier pie. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Lode Pies, Surry Hills

“Natalie Tran suggested this place and so we all went there.

“I took a pie home for dinner- a beef and mushroom pie. They are famous for their Pithivier the pork, shiitake mushroom served with chicken and cream gravy.”

Baker Bleu in Double Bay. Picture: Tim Hunter.

DARREN PURCHESE PICKS

Baker Bleu, Double Bay

“There are so many fantastic bakeries in Sydney, we really are spoiled for choice, but I was so happy when my favourite Melbourne baker opened up interstate.

“I fully expect Sydneysiders to fall in love with their quality bakes as we have in Melbourne. “Top tips are the Caraway and multiseed ficelle, the flaky pastries, amazing olive fougasse and their addictive Vegemite and cheese twists all baked with the distinctive dark finish.”

The humble sandwich at Sandoitchi

Sandoitchi, Darlinghurst

“Everyone knows I love sandwiches and the Sando’s here are next level.

“Again, the tip was from Rachel: she visited before me and told me how good it was.

“I went and bought ALL the sando’s – so good. There is an egg one and the prawn was next level.

“I think I went a few times and took my wife, Cath, there as well. The team are very helpful and very talented, and the place was super busy every time I went.”

AP House and AP Bakery

A.P. Bakery, Surry Hills

“Went here with Nat for breaky, she suggested it, as she is in the know.

“Loved the huge selection of breads and pastries.

“Nat and Rachel are the undisputed queens of finding great bakeries and Cal and I are willing followers.

“I can’t wait to get back and see what’s new this year.”

— The Great Australian Bake Off airs on Tuesdays at 8.30pm on Foxtel