Kirsten Tibballs
Australian pastry chef, chocolatier and Savour School founder sharing chocolate techniques, dessert recipes and home-baking lessons online and on The Chocolate Queen.
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Latest
Kirsten’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Murdoch Books
SBS FoodOverview
- Based in
- Melbourne, Australia
- Work
- Pastry chef, chocolatier, author and educator
- Founded
- Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School, 2002
- Early milestone
- Award-winning chocolates at the 2004 World Pastry Team Championships
- On screen
- The Chocolate Queen, MasterChef Australia and Dessert Masters
Mini bio
How it started.
Kirsten began selling cakes from home at 12 and started a patisserie apprenticeship in Mornington at 15. In interviews, she has described being drawn to the visual creativity of pastry. Her parents supported those early years, driving her to and from long shifts.
Building Savour.
After working in Melbourne and learning from European pastry chefs, she saw a need for specialist chocolate and patisserie education closer to home. She opened Savour in Brunswick in 2002. Success at international pastry competitions in 2004 helped bring more attention to her classes and work.
From the classroom to the screen.
Teaching runs through her recipes, online classes and television work. The Chocolate Queen began on SBS Food in 2019, while her MasterChef appearances have included the lifelike fruit desserts for the 2017 grand final. Her 2023 book Chocolate All Day pairs chocolate recipes with troubleshooting advice, carrying that classroom approach into home kitchens.
Creditschronological, newest first
Television
- 2025MasterChef Australia: Coffee Caviar TinGuest pastry chef setting a pressure test
- 2023Dessert Masters, season 1Contestant
- 2019 onwardsThe Chocolate QueenHost
- 2017MasterChef Australia grand finalCreator of the lifelike fruit dessert challenge
Books
- 2023Chocolate All DayAuthor
Teaching and judging
- 2026World Chocolate Masters grand finalNamed Head of Technical Evaluation
- 2022World Chocolate MastersHead of the Jury of Taste
- 2002 onwardsSavour Chocolate & Patisserie SchoolFounder and educator
Awards
Quotes
I have a rule that I try not to keep doing the same thing.Kirsten Tibballs, Pastry Arts Magazine
In a 2020 interview, she explained how sharing her creations pushes her to keep developing new ideas.
Trivia
- She sketches desserts with coloured pencils before deciding on their textures and flavours.
- When SBS asked her to choose between chocolate and caramel, she picked chocolate.
- She told SBS that she loves dancing whenever she gets the chance.
Find Kirsten
Follow Kirsten for chocolate techniques, new recipes and a look inside Savour.
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