The second season of Zumbo's Just Desserts premiered in Australia on November 17, 2019, on Seven Network. Ten contestants were selected to compete. The winner of this season won the grand prize of $100,000 and earns the title of "Zumbo's Just Desserts Winner".
The show is hosted by Adriano Zumbo and Rachel Khoo. On May 16, 2019, it was announced that the assistant Gigi Falanga, who appeared in the previous season, was not returning.
Competition structure Each chapter is divided into two stages. The "Sweet Sensations task" and the "Zumbo Test".
During the first challenge, regularly with a duration of three hours, each contestant must create a dessert following the theme and rules given by the judges at the beginning. Rachel and Zumbo evaluate each of the creations, determining a winner, who gets the Dessert Of The Day. They also declare those who were safe from the second phase and the two bakers who will go to the second phase or elimination round.
The elimination round, or Zumbo Test, consists of testing the bottom bakers with original Zumbo creations, where at least one baker will go home.
Contestants Name Age Job StatusCatherine 19 Student Winner (Episode 10) Simon 36 ConcreterSecond (Episode 10) Jeff 50 Competitive Dad Eliminated (Episode 9) Kylie 45 Sugarcane Farmer Eliminated (Episode 7) Rachel 32 Playgroup Leader Eliminated (Episode 6) Kristie 35 Cake Pop Decorator Eliminated (Episode 5) Zak 39 Account Manager Eliminated (Episode 4) Megan 32 Perfectionist Mum Eliminated (Episode 3) Pearly 29 Flight Attendant Eliminated (Episode 2) Kimberley 45 Office Worker Eliminated (Episode 1)
Contestant progress Week 1 Week 2 Week 3CatherineDOTD(Safe)HIGH(Safe)DOTD(Safe)LOW(Safe)HIGH(Safe)HIGH(14)(Safe)DOTD(Safe)GT(18)DNP(Safe)Winner(33)SimonHIGH(Safe) SS(Safe)HIGH(Safe)DOTD(Safe)DOTD(Safe)DOTD(18)(Safe)ZT(17) SS(SF) SS/ZT(31)' Runner Up (32) JeffLOW(Safe) SS(Safe) SS(Safe) SS(Safe)ZT(14)LOW(13)(Safe)ZT(15)ZT(17) SS/ZT(30) Eliminated(Episode 9) Kylie SS(Safe)DOTD(Safe) SS(Safe)HIGH(Safe)HIGH(Safe)ZT(SS:11)(ZT:16)ZT(14) Eliminated (Episode 7) Rachel SS(Safe)HIGH(Safe)ZT(16) SS(Safe)LOW(Safe)ZT(SS:9)(ZT:15) Eliminated (Episode 6) KristieZT(16) SS(Safe) SS(Safe)ZT(12)ZT(13) Eliminated (Episode 5) Zak SS(Safe)ZT(13)LOW(Safe)ZT(10) Eliminated (Episode 4) Megan SS(Safe)LOW(Safe)ZT(14) Eliminated (Episode 3) PearlyHIGH(Safe)ZT(10) Eliminated (Episode 2) KimberleyZT(11) Eliminated (Episode 1) 'Dessert Of The Day' Produce one of the favorite desserts but was not crowned 'Dessert Of The Day' Produce one of the weakest desserts but was not in the 'Zumbo Test' Won the 'Zumbo Test' Lost the 'Zumbo Test' Eliminated from the competition Press the 'Golden Button' Won the 'Zumbo Test' to earn 'Golden Ticket' as a shortcut to the Grand Final Lost the 'Zumbo Test' to earn the 'Golden Ticket' Sent to the Semi-Final Series winner Series runner up SS: Sweet Sensations Challenge ZT: Zumbo Test DNP: Through to the Finals!
Series details Episode 1 – Make Some Magic! Airdate — 17 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — The Dessert Makers had to create a dessert that has a secret inside. Zumbo Test — The bottom two contestants had to recreate Zumbo's cake "I'm Not Lion".
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Catherine Orange Mousse Cake with Lemon Curd & Almond Ice Cream Safe (DOTD) Simon Chocolate Dome with Raspberry Macaron & Nutty Crumble Safe Pearly Kylie Megan Honeycomb & Praline Semifreddo with Chocolate Gâteaux Rachel White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Cream & Mojito Pearls Zak Raspberry & Rosewater Mousse with Ruby Chocolate Jeff Coconut Mousse with Aniseed Sorbet Kristie Coconut Panna Cotta with Lime Curd & White Chocolate Glaze Bottom Two(Zumbo Test) Kimberley
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Kristie 8 8 16 Safe Kimberley 5 6 11 Eliminated
Episode 2 – The Terrifying Tower Airdate — 18 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — The Dessert Makers had to create a dessert tower at least half a meter high. Zumbo Test — The bottom two had to recreate the Zumbo's "Lucky 13".
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; width:80em;" |+ Sweet Sensations details ! Contestant ! Dessert ! Result |- ! Kylie | Tropical Layer Cake with Pineapple Flowers | bgcolor="lightgreen"| Safe (DOTD) |- ! Catherine | | rowspan="6"| Safe'' |- ! Rachel | Choux Bun Mermaid Tower with Lemon Madeleines |- ! Jeff | Éclair & Profiterole Tower with Nougatine |- ! Kristie | Chocolate & Caramel Cake Pop Tower|- ! Simon | Éclair Tower with Layered Mocha Cake |- ! Megan
! Zak | | rowspan="2" bgcolor="pink"| Bottom Two(Zumbo Test)|- ! Pearly | Lemonade Cake with Raspberry Buttercream, Confetti Blondie & Musk
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Zak Zumbo's Lucky 13 6 7 13 Safe Pearly 5 5 10 Eliminated
Episode 3 – Sundae Dream Airdate — 19 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — The Dessert Makers had to create an original-refined version of a sundae. Zumbo Test — The bottom two had to recreate Zumbo's "Lazy Sundae".
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Catherine Matcha & Yuzu Sundae Safe (DOTD) Simon Safe Jeff Pink Vanilla & Hazelnut Sundae Kristie Raspberry & Turkish Delight Sundae Kylie Churro Cherry Chocolate Sundae Zak Rachel Chocolate Brownie & Banana Sundae Bottom Two (Zumbo Test) Megan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Rachel Zumbo's Lazy Sundae 8 8 16 Safe Megan 7 7 14 Eliminated
Episode 4 – Out of This World Airdate — 20 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — Each Dessert Maker had to create a space themed dessert. Zumbo Test — The bottom two had to recreate Zumbo's cake "Planet Zumbo".
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Simon "UF-Fro" Coconut Mousse with Mango Chilli Jelly & Coriander Sorbet Safe (DOTD) Kylie "Planet Saturn" Chocolate Caramel Mousse Stack with Brownie, Brittle & Banana Safe Jeff White Chocolate Planet with Mousse & Raspberry Rose Jelly Rachel Catherine White Chocolate Egg with Pistachio Mousse & Passion Fruit Curd Kristie "The Milky Way" Maple Popcorn Shot, Blueberry Brownie with Blueberry Caviar Bottom Two(Zumbo Test) Zak "Alien Brain" with Jelly Worms & Coconut Dacquoise
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Kristie Blackcurrant Buttercream with Black Licorice, with Black & other colors Glazed, 6 6 12 Safe Zak 5 5 10 Eliminated
Episode 5 – An Enchanted Party Airdate — 24 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — The Dessert Makers had to make an enchanted kid's party cake. Zumbo Test — The bottom two had to recreate Zumbo's "Fruitina".
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Simon "Castle Cake on Top of The Beanstalk" Orange & Almond Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting with Pop Rocks and White Chocolate Safe (DOTD) Catherine "Fantasy Tree Stump" Chocolate Sponge, Strawberry Mousse & Hazelnut Ganache Safe Kylie "Secret Garden Cake" Strawberry Cake, Lemon & Vanilla Cake, Strawberry Jam & Buttercream Rachel "Rainbow Hedgiehog" Rainbow Cake with Buttercream & Passion Fruit Curd Jeff "End of the Rainbow Cake"Beetroot & Raspberry Red Velvet with Pistachio Moss and Dark Chocolate Ganache Bottom Two (Zumbo Test) Kristie "The Chocolate Room" Vanilla Cake, Vanilla Buttercream & Passion Fruit Curd
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Jeff Zumbo's Fruitina 7 7 14 Safe Kristie 6 7 13 Eliminated
Episode 6 – Suspended in Time Airdate — 25 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — The dessert makers had to create a dessert that looks like a moment in time. As a plot twist, the baker who finished at first his/her dessert can push the golden button, which gives 2 extra points for this stage. Jeff pushed the golden button. Zumbo Test — The bottom two had to recreate Zumbo's cake "About Time".
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Simon "The Splash" Chocolate Mandarin Tart, Mint Mousse Ball & Mint Basil Ice Cream Safe (DOTD) Catherine "Spilt Coconut" Coconut Mousse with Pineapple Compote & Passion Fruit Jelly Safe Jeff "Frozen Cube" with Mango Passion Fruit Egg Kylie Bottom Two (Zumbo Test) Rachel "The Outback" Lemon Myrtle Panna Cotta, Wattleseed Shortbread & Bush Honey Meringues
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Kylie(layered with Lemon & Thyme Gel and Sponge, Vegemite-toasted Brûlée, Coffee and Maple Syrup Mousse,& Chocolate decorations, Marbled Chocolate, Chocolate Sablé Tartshell, Salted Caramel, Caramel Ganache infused with Lemon and Thyme) 8 8 16 Safe Rachel 7 8 15 Eliminated
Episode 7 – Fright Night Airdate — 26 November 2019 Sweet Sensations — The dessert makers had to create a horror inspired dessert. Zumbo Test — The bottom three had to recreate Zumbo's "Eyes on the Mummy".
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Catherine Safe (DOTD) Simon "The Skull" Red Velvet Cake with Cookie Cream Cheese Icing & Red Fudge Sauce Bottom Three (Zumbo Test) Jeff "Jelly Eyeballs" Durian Chiffon Cake with Blood Orange Jelly Kylie "The Grave" Date & Walnut Cake. White Chocolate Ganache and an Orange Butter Cream
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Simon Zumbo's Eyes on the Mummy,Caramel & Tonka Bean Crèmeux, Italian Meringues, Pashmak, Strawberry Coulis Blood, Mini Macaron Shells & Tempered White Chocolate Squares) 8 9 17 Safe Jeff 7 8 15 Safe Kylie 7 7 14 Eliminated
Episode 8 – Smoke and Mirrors Airdate — 4 December 2019 Sweet Sensations — The dessert makers had to create a reflective mirror-like dessert. As a plot twist, just the top two qualified for the Zumbo Test. Zumbo Test — The top two had to recreate Zumbo's "Time for a Grilling". The winner of this stage received the Golden Ticket to the Grand Final.
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Result Jeff Mirrored Honey Cake with Smoked Cinnamon Yoghurt Sorbet & Fresh Figs Pass to Zumbo Test Catherine Simon "Pear-fect" Pear Mousse on Rosemary Walnut Biscuit with Blue Cheese Ganache Sent to the Semi-Final
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Result Zumbo Rachel Catherine Zumbo's Time for a GrillingMont Black Potato-like Flavored with Lime & Passion Fruit, Vanilla Cream and Candied Chestnut, and chicken leg made with Salted Caramel & Chicken Jus Mousse with Coconut and Hazelnut Namelaka) 9 9 18 Safe (Golden Ticket) Jeff 9 8 17 Sent to the Semi-Final
Episode 9 – Secret Garden Airdate — 5 December 2019 Sweet Sensations — The dessert makers had to create a dessert that's inspired by a botanical garden. Zumbo Test — The dessert makers had to recreate Zumbo's "Vertical Garden". The higher scoring contestant was sent to the Grand Final, the lower scoring contestant was eliminated.
+ Sweet Sensations details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Zumbo Rachel Simon "Manava's Garden" Raspberry Pistachio Opera Cake with Honey Pistachio Ice Cream & Chocolate Tuile 8 9 17 Jeff 7 7 14
+ Zumbo Test details Contestant Dessert Scores(out of 10) Total Total Score Result Zumbo Rachel Simon Zumbo's Vertical Garden,Eucalyptus Caramel, Citrus Sponge, Vanilla Ganache, Green Rocher Glaze, base made with Wild Orange Jelly, Cucumber Meringue & Compressed Cucumber. Decorations with Microherbs and Flowers) 7 7 14 31 Jeff 8 8 16 30 Third
Episode 10 – Bring on the Bling Airdate — 5 December 2019 Detail — Unlike former episodes, the final two took part in the Zumbo Test first and the Sweet Sensations last. Final Zumbo Test — The final two contestants had to recreate Zumbo's "The Sweet Smell of Success". Final Sweet Sensations''' — The final two had to create a dessert with a sense of luxury and bling.