First of all, I promise that this will be the last Masterchef post…for a while at least. Tonight is the night-the night where we learn whether Julie or Poh is crowned the Masterchef Australia winner. Weeknights will now be empty – no rushing to prepare food before the 7pm deadline and Sunday nights will be cliff hanger free. I thought I had Saturday “off” from my addiction but this was not so – patissier Adriano Zumbo would be holding a Masterchef Cake Auction.
Up for auction were the cakes that he made for a photoshoot for the upcoming the Masterchef cookbook. Rather than have the cakes go to waste, they thought that they would auction them off with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The Masterchef cookbook will come out in November this year (the winner’s cookbook will come out next year) and will feature recipes that contestants have contributed from Mystery Box challenges and Invention Tests with the contestants writing the introductions for their own dishes as well as commenting on others by telling us what they did right and what they did wrong and explaining what they would have done differently, given the chance. The celebrity chefs that have contributed recipes are Adriano Zumbo, Alex Herbert, Manu Fieldel, Pete Evans, Matt Moran, Guy Grossi and Ben O’Donoghue among others. And fans of the show, they want to hear from you as to which recipes you’d like to see so you can leave a comment here to let them know which recipe you want or twitter “Masterchefbook”.
Watching a photo shoot for a cookbook is interesting stuff indeed. For as much as a photographer like myself loves light and flocks to it, the background and lighting for the shoot were quite dark. The photographs however looked amazing on the preview screen so obviously they have a much greater knowledge (using a long exposure and a tripod) and much more expensive equipment than I could ever dream to possess.
Adriano Zumbo
Adriano’s mum, Mrs Zumbo and his nephew
While we’re waiting for the auction to start, I chat to another woman who confesses that she had a $40 a week Zumbo chocolate habit (which is about 30 chocolate’s a week) which culminated in a chocolate intolerance. We even have a chat to Adriano’s mum and nephew (who just happens to look quite like Zumbo at that age) . Mrs Zumbo says that she allowed Zumbo to leave school early as long as he had a job lined up but if he quit the job, he would go back to school. We also meet the self confessed “really, really good customers” Sebastien and baby Mathilde who loves visiting because she gets chocolate.
Zumbo and chocolate fan Mathilde
The crowd gathered for the auction
When the clock strikes 4.30pm radio personality Tom Tilley who is the auctioneer for the evening (who tells the crowd that he briefly dated contestant Poh), addresses the large crowd amassed. Up for auction today is a Croquembouche, just like the one that the contestants created which features between 90-100 choux puffs (these can be ordered at a cost of $350), the Tonka Bean Pannacotta with Passionfruit slick and Rice Pudding and Pine Nut Macarons and the cake that everyone wants a piece of and that proved a near impossible challenge, the 5 layer Chocolate Mousse Cake which is divided up into 8 slices for maximum sampling.
The very generous Trissa with her slice of Chocolate Mousse Cake
Bidding starts at $50 for a slice of the chocolate mousse cake and swiftly climbs. Final prices end at about $100 for most slices with the top price of $125 for a single slice of the cake. The winners are handed their prize slice, along with a photo (or for some a kiss) with Adriano and one lovely buyer Trissa (who is an NQN reader) offers me a taste of her prized piece. I can’t resist and she then offers me half of her slice in an amazingly generous gesture! The cake is filled with soft mousse, sweet apple and a thick, flowing caramel sauce. It’s like a caramel apple combined with a rich chocolate mousse and a biscuit base. A big thankyou to Trissa for sharing her prize with me! 
Close up of the Chocolate Mousse Cake
Close up of the Chocolate Mousse Cake
The croquembouche finishes at $400 and the Tonka Bean Pannacotta with Passionfruit slick and rice Pudding and Pine Nut macarons finishes at around $60. The winners have a choice of having their prizes packed up for them or eating it there.
The winning bidder for the Croquembouche
The Pannacotta!
A little later Karen and Suze arrive and are a touch disappointed that the auction is over. However their disappointment quickly turns to joy when Adriano brings out a backup of the Tonka Bean Pannacotta with Macarons and asks if we’d like to try it. You can imagine just how quickly we all said yes to this. The pannacotta is just as Matt Preston described it should be and it wobbles “deliciously like a Rubenesque woman on 5 inch heels”. The macarons are fantastcially true to flavour with the pine nut one having an toasted pinenut almost toffeeish flavour and the rice pudding one an exact doppelganger for creamy rice pudding. A sweet ending to an exciting day with over $1000 raised for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Adriano Zumbo
So tell me Dear Reader, what would you have bid up to for the cakes? Did they go for more or less than you thought they would? And don’t forget to let us know if you would like to see a particular dish in the Masterchef cookbook 
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Adriano Zumbo Café Chocolat
308 Darling St, Balmain (inside Balmain Mall)
Open 7 days
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47 Comments | Add your own
I loved the coffee eclair masterclass – I just would make them chocolate! I’d like to see that in the recipe book.
As for bidding, I think the prices were spot on. Wonderful about raising over $1,000 for Westmead Childrens’ hospital!
Great pics too Lorraine! xx
I am surprised the Croquembouche didn’t go for more than $400 – sounds like it’s not much higher than the typical ‘retail’ price? I would have definitely bid for that!
It must be fun! Unlucky that I know about the auction at 6 pm on Saturday..haha Otherwise I definitely go there (just for looking lol)
I for sure want their all desserts in the cookbook
I wish I could have gone but it was such late notice and I had something on then. Did anyone ask if Adriano was for auction? I would have!
I’d like to see the Sri Lankan Curry recipe featured, the one from the taste test.
Excellent to see lots of people bidding for charity and I’m sure the deserts were delicious.
*cry* Why did I go straight home instead of going to this? Stupid Steph! You’re so lucky you got to try two of the three, he’s so lovely bringing you girls the backup dessert. So jealous!
I went and it was so exciting although it made for a few delays with the food (understandable). That lady Trissa is so nice for sharing her cake too!
I love the idea of a charity auction of cakes.
Very inventive!
Gobsmacked…thanks for sharing this WONDERFUL experience Lorraine. I’d love to have a look at the Choc Mousse Cake recipe. Splendid looking cake, & how nice Trissa is.Thank tonka bean panna cotta is singing to my ♥!!!
How brilliant that you got to taste not only the pannacotta and macarons, but also the chocolate mousse cake! So jealous! I couldn’t believe it when I saw your post about the auction yesterday, while I was stuck babysitting my nephew, nowhere near Balmain. (Luckily he’s cute enough to make up for it.)
The pannacotta and macarons! I can’t wait to try them!
I can always count on you for my Zumbo fix! Do you know why they pronounce it Zumbar or Zumba? I thought it was pronounced Zumbo with an O not an A.
I would have bid maybe $70 for a piece of the mousse cake. I couldn’t of made it myself!
$400 for the entire Croquembouche is a steal, lucky devil!
Wooooow
Sadly, I have no money myself so when I go to the Patisserie or Cafe (which I’m already excitedly planning, even though I’m waiting until after the HSC or trials at least) I’ll need to get money off my mum
I guess it makes the trip that much more special then 
I don’t know how much they should be going for, but comparing the slice of cake for $100 to the croquembouche for $400, the croquembouche does seem a bit low.
Oh well, raising over $1000 is awesome, and for a good cause
I thought the Croquembouche would’ve gone for at least $450-$500.
I would love to see the deep fried meringues in the cookbook. Can’t wait till it comes out.
Lorraine, any chance of you attempting the chocolate mousse cake? I’d love to read about that. Sadly my own culinary skills would struggle with even one element of it.
that chocolate mousse cake is a must for the cookbook! and lol..i think if i lived in balmain, i would have a $40 a week zumbo habit too. i easily spend $40 each time i go there
I trekked to Balmain yesterday because it was such a beautiful day! I didn’t know the auction was on until i read your post this morning but i nearly cried when i went to pick a lovely cake and there was not a single one left!
I must be quicker next time, and that tonka bean pannacotta looks divine!
Omg I have to thank Suze for egging me to drop by and checking it out! We literally decided at the last minute at the traffic light to turn off to Balmain. Phew!
Oh that panna cotta dessert! I think we were the three happiest gals that evening! *drool*
And how awesome to have a peek at the photoshoot Lorraine!
WOOOOW! 100dora for a single slice of cake! 0_0! I really want that croquembouche though haha
ohhh man that pannacotta was sooo awesome! haha it was a totally spur of the moment diversion from our route home so glad we caught up with you guys!
Bwahaha how funny! I used to live with Tom Tilley, it is still a little bit funny hearing him on the radio.
How great that you all got to taste the pannacotta, looked so divine!
What a great cause. Heheh I’m very interested in the food photography! We have to do a lot of it for work and we really are running blind so it’s interesting to see they have a very long exposure. Might have to try that next time.
Wow! This all looks fab – what a fun day out. I would like to see the recipe for the Aria chocolate tart that appeared in tonight’s final in the cookbook – it looked superb!
The croquembouche looks incredible – what a lucky (and generous) winning bidder. I missed out on going to the auction but it seems like a great time with a great result.
i wonder who that Croquembouche chap was, and what he did with it in the end?
love the pictures, Lorraine.
(and just between you and me? i cried at the bit when Matt made his little speech at the end of the show)
awwww!
last masterchef post? *sniff*sniff* I was having so much fun!
And gosh, I am AMAZED at these people’s skills! Esp that gorgeous Croquembouche!!
This show has been very dangerous for me, since it started I’ve been cooking 3 course meals nearly every night, whipping up chocolate cakes and caramel sauce and lots of other delights that do nothing for my waist line but add to it lol, part of me is glad the show is over cause now I can go back to letting my husband cook dinner but I will miss it too and I can’t wait for the next one.
I’m so glad Julie won, she’s a mum of boys just like me and I can’t wait for her book, I cried when she won lol
I would like to see Poh’s deep fried meringues in the cookbook, I did try to make them but too much flour turned them into a disaster, shall be trying again though.
This looks like it was so much fun! Wow, I’ll be dreaming of that chocolate mousse cake!
if i were a rich woman, i wouldn’t waste my money on clothes and shoes. nope, i’d buy cake.
The most delicious of them all? Why, Adriano himself; of course! Yum yum yum!
Gobsmack’d
Well, the auction seemed to go well but I expected it to raise more, especially the Croquembouche. Lucky you Lorraine, got to taste the cakes and meet his mum as well.
I would like to see and try all the recipes from the Celebrity Chefs in the masterchef cookbook. Congratulations to Julie for winning, she proved that persistance and trenacity wins in the end.
That’s a fantastic idea!!! Great to see such a good auction. And lucky you for getting to try two dishes!!!
Well I think we all want Adriano’s recipes in the recipe book, and I have liked the majority of the masterclass recipes, so those would be good too.
what a great idea to auction off those pastries for a good cause! Good on Zumbo! I’m sad I missed it
Hmmm hopefully he starts selling that cake in the stores!
My favourite “bug”; indeed my favourite creature is the dragonfly…..so beautiful as they hover above the water in our dam with the sun shimmering on their gossamer wings.
I cant believe I missed this. It would have been awesome to see. All day yesterday the queue at the store was about 30 people deep – I walked past about 6 times. He is going to have to get a bigger shop!
Lorraine – do you know if AZ is planning on releasing a book of his own?
The momentum on this just seems to be gaining and gaining. how exciting for him!!
Jealous!!
I made the chocolate mousse cake yesterday and it looks nothing like the real thing! Still so good to eat though and that’s the main thing right??? : )
Sounds like great fun. A little too crowd overwhelming for me when I saw the queues but lucky you for getting the inside scoop! And bonus dessert to boot!
Wow you’re so lucky to have been able to taste both the pannacotta and the chocolate mousse cake!
Interesting how the food photographers don’t need much light – my photos always turn out horribly when there’s “mood lighting” in the restaurant…
I’d love to see Poh’s deep fried meringues in the cookbook even though I don’t really like deep frying things in general, but they looked so delicious!
I’d like to see both of the Aria desserts featured on the show in th cookbook – both the apple & chocolate one.
Also, Geni’s mushroom sauce & Julie’s (I think) lamb roast
Wow! You’re so lucky to have tried the chocolate mousse cake and the pannacotta
and Adriano is so nice to have an auction to raise money for the kids.
Hi Liss-Ahh good idea! It was a great idea and I think the prices were good although I thought the croquembouche might have gone for higher! Thankyou so much!
xxx
Hi Julia-yes me too! Yes only $50 more-the winner got a great bargain!
Hi Ja-It was lots of fun
Ahh what a shame yes it was short notice! Haha I knew you would! 
Hi Aubrey-Aww what a shame. You know I think someone did!
Hi Bill-Ah good idea, that sounded delicious! They were fantastic and I feel so privileged to have gotten to taste them
Hi Steph-I thought yo guys would come for sure! It was such a nice surprise!
Hi Maria-yes they were really hammered that day! I felt for them! She was so amazing!
Hi Elissa-It’s a great idea isn’t it! Also instant (and delicious) gratification!
Hi deeba-You’re welcome!
it’s up on the Masterchef website although it looks very full on! 
Hehe! 
Hi KT-I’m amazed, I didn’t expect anyone to share their piece let alone give me half like Trissa did! Aww what a shame, but yes I bet spending time with him was just as good!
Hi Lisa-Hehe they were great!
Hi Joanna-hehe thanks!
I’m not sure why, I’m sure it’s supposed to be Zumbo ! 
Yes I so couldn’t make that cake!
Hi Teena-Yes he got a bargain!
Hi Alice-Bring your mum-I’m sure she’d love it!
Yes I think it everyone had banded together then it could have gone crazy! 
Hi Nat-Yes me too! Actually that’s a great recipe idea. I really want to know how she made those
Hehe I am very tempted but I don’t know, I’m about to move and perhaps when I get a proper kitchen back I could! 
Hi Panda-Hehe yes it’s a dangerous place to live near I think. It’s so hard to stop at one!
Hi Gillian-Oh no they had all sold out? That’s amazing!
You might be able to reserve one.
Hi Karen-Hehe yes good move although I would have thought you’d all come along! I know, how good was it? Thankyou!
Hi FFichiban-Yup! it was a great cake
haha you can make one-I think it’s more doable than the mousse cake 
Hi chocolatesuze-It was indeed! I kept wondering where you guys were. I thought there would be a big group of you coming!
Hi lili-did you? How funny! Did he date Poh at that time? I was a very happy, lucky girl that day!
Hi Esz-It is! I know, it was interesting seeing how they were doing it. I wouldn’t know how to do that!
Hi Cakelaw-It was so exciting
Oh yes that would be great!
Hi Belle-I know! I didn’t expect that at all. Aww I thought you’d be there!
Hi the projectivist-I didn’t get a chance to speak to him unfortunately! I bet he had a great time with it!
I like to think he ate the whole thing by himself 
Thankyou! yes lots of touching speeches weren’t there! A nice end 
Hi Sophia-hehe my evenings now have a huge, gaping hole in them! yes it’s fantastic isn’t it!
Hi Lauren-Oh wow, well done for you! That’s amazing stuff. Any plans to try out for next year’s? You sound like you’d be great in it!
Hi Faith-It was lots of fun
It’s totally worth dreaming about! 
Hi grace-hehe yes going from cake auction to cake auction sounds like fun!
Hi gobsmack’d-I wonder if his ego is huge with all the female attention!
Hi Matilda-Yes I suppose if there a bit more notice people might have come although they might have needed more space then!
Yes a big congratulations to Julie! 
Hi Anita-I felt so lucky indeed!
I think all of his recipes are on the website already but in a book form is good too 
Hi Einna-Yes much better than wasting them! And good to know that they aren’t made with faux components (you always hear about ice cream being mashed potato). I don’t think he has any plans to unfortunately.
Hi Carol-Hehe cool but could you put this in the competition story?
Hi Vita-Yes what a pity! I can imagine how crazy it would be!
Yes he is planning to release a book of his own which would be great! It’s well deserved 
Hi Brenda-You did well with it-after all it’s a hard cake to make!
Hi Forager-Hehe well yes although everyone was friendly so it wasn’t bad at all
Thanks! I’m surprised you guys didn’t come along?
Hi Jacq-Yes it was an amazing opportunity! Yes mine too. I was surprised when I saw how relatively dark it was. yes I’m going to have to try those that’s for sure!
Hi blanche-Yes that looked quite amazing last night! Yes I’d love to know the secrets to those!
Hi foodie-central-I was indeed, I can’t deny it!
Yes it was a lovely idea by his PR woman 
What a beautiful thing to do ~ I truely admire people like Adriano Zumbo, who would use their talent to bless a good cause for the children at Westmead. Good on him and for everyone who supported! He should def host another of these auctions… the croquembouche was a bargain, considering you can eat the golden gems and have a good feeling glow like a million bucks both inside and out for a good cause! Ps. Saw a pic of you from the ‘put it in your mouth’blog – you looked so cute!
Keep up the good work – you are an inspiration! 
x
i would really love to get the recipe for the taste test challenges, so basically gary’s sri lankan curry and bourgignon and george’s moussaka. that would be tops. and i would definitely buy the book. even though i am certain julie winning it was rigged…
I was at the auction and was lucky enough to score myself a piece of cake. It was sooooo good!
Re: the Masterchef Cookbook (YAY!!), I would love George’s mums moussaka recipe and the minestrone recipe. Oh and the lamb curry recipe that Andre was eliminated on.
Hi Eve-It was a wonderful idea and I’m sure the $1000 was put to good use too!
Oooh I better go have a look. My google links reader isn’t working so I can’t see links so thankyou for letting me know! 
Hi grace-Oh eys the moussaka! That would be great. Hehe I wonder how it will sell!
I think they were quite generous with the recipes but prob good for them that they held back on some for the cookbook. otherwise we’d never need to buy it!
Hi Tracey-Oh very cool! Good on you
Lots of votes for the moussaka. I hope they put that one in! 
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[...] http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/07/19/adriano-zumbo-masterchef-charity-cake-auction-balmain/The celebrity chefs that have contributed recipes are Adriano Zumbo, Alex Herbert, Manu Fieldel, Pete Evans, Matt Moran, Guy Grossi and Ben O’Donoghue among others. And fans of the show, they want to hear from you as to which recipes … [...]
[...] on the many lovely people I meet. When I first met my dining companion Trissa, it was at the Adriano Zumbo Charity cake auction. She had just paid over $100 for one slice of cake and I was standing by the doorway when she came [...]
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