‘Zumbo’s Just Desserts’ launching on Channel 7 with six Victorian contestants

AUSTRALIA’S dessert king Adriano Zumbo will tonight launch his search for the country’s sweetest home cook — and several Melburnians are in the running.

Adriano Zumbo with assistant Gigi Falanga and co-host Rachel Khoo. Picture: Supplied

THREE Port Phillip residents will test out their sweet set of skills on national TV in the hope of being named Australia’s ultimate dessert king or queen.

Port Melbourne’s Ashley Glasic with one of Zumbo’s most famous desserts, the crochembouche. Picture: Stephen Harman

Under the watchful eye of the country’s most celebrated patissier, Adriano Zumbo, 12 contestants will vie for the crown on the latest tasty offering from Channel 7, Zumbo’s Just Desserts, which premieres tonight.

Each episode contestants are set a new sweet sensation challenge and at the end, the winner will take home $100,000 and have one of their creations sold in Zumbo stores.

South Melbourne’s Irene Fung, a financial analyst, said her time in the candy-coloured “Dessert Factory” was way harder than she expected.

“It was so intense — you’re racing against a clock and trying to create something amazing and there’s a camera in your face the whole time,” she said.

Ms Fung said dainty mousses, cupcakes and tarts were her specialty.

“I know this sounds weird because I went on a dessert show, but I hated making cakes before this. I always burnt them,” she said.

But practice — and a little bit of guidance from the “patissier of pain” himself — has helped her on her way to cake-baking perfection.

She hopes to use her finely honed skills in her part-time business Me, Dessert and Irene.

Ms Fung is joined by fellow Port Phillip residents, Ashley Glasic, a Jetstar crewing officer from Port Melbourne and Peter Giannakis, a car salesman from St Kilda.

Port Phillip contestants Ashley Glasic, Irene Fung and Peter Giannakis at the series’ launch party. Picture: Stephen Harman

Three other contestants — Wendy, Daniel and Kate — are also from Victoria.

Zumbo’s Just Desserts will screen Mondays through Wednesdays at 7.30pm on Channel 7, against stiff competition from Australian Survivor, The Block and The Bachelor.