The Pastry Battlers

A$2,305
of $20,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 3rd Jul 2013 at 1:00AM.
Team Pastry Australia

"Train hard, win easy!" The journey of talented pastry chefs determined to prove that Australia can compete with the best!

Dean Gibson, Team Coach

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Dean Gibson and Jian Yao are two men on a mission: bring their team of pastry chefs to the highest level of competition and represent Australia in the 2013 World Pastry Cup.

Their dream: finally put Australian pastry on the map and showcase to the rest of the world what Aussies can do.

After the previous team, comprised of Dean and close friend Adriano Zumbo, failed to qualify at the Asian Pastry Cup by only one spot back in 2010, it is imperative for the new team to make it in the top 4 of Asian selections to qualify for the World Cup in France, the homeland of patisserie.

After a shaky start, involving many showpieces being scrapped or re-designed, and several team reshuffles, they have formed the ideal team. The main challenge is now for the team to reach the highest level of skills to make it to the top!

TPA's plated dessert, presented at the Asian Pastry Cup 2012, in Singapore


THE TEAM


Dean Gibson, Team Coach 

Dean is a passionate and enthusiastic pastry chef, who used to work in the best restaurants in Sydney (with the likes of Neil Perry for instance). Now a teacher at Tafe Newcastle, he is the Team Coach and oversees all training as well as day-to-day organisation of the competitors. In 2010, he was himself a competitor at the Asian Pastry Cup, together with friend Adriano Zumbo, but they failed to qualify by only one spot! Since then, Dean has promised himself, that he and Jian would bring an Australian team to victory. Will his dreams come true?


Jian Yao, Team Manager 

The heart and soul of the team, Jian organises and liaises with sponsors, suppliers, trainers. He came from Shanghai 21 years ago and worked his way from kitchen hand to managing director of a company supplying pastries to major airlines, Continental Patisserie, and has just opened another factory in Shanghai. In the past, Jian has led many other teams in Coupe Du Monde in France. Will he cope with the resulting pressures on his professional and family life?

Left: Andre Sandison, Team Captain & Sugar competitor
Right: Jian Yao, Team Manager


Andre Sandison, Sugar competitor 

Head Teacher at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, Andre has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, as he was asked to join the team only 5 months before the Asian Pastry Cup, replacing the previous competitor in a very short timeframe. Joining the team sees him reunite with former student Justin Yu. Now that both chefs are teammates, how will the teacher/student relationship evolve? Will Andre be able to conciliate this huge commitment, with teaching and with his family life?

Andre Sandison, pouring sugar a few days before the World Pastry Cup 2013, France


Justin Yu, Chocolate competitor 

Taiwanese-born Justin is a talented young chef who grew up in Brisbane and moved to Sydney with his wife Erin (also a pastry chef) especially to be part of the team. A shy and discreet young man, he transforms into a deadly efficient machine when he's got his pastry chef hat on. His humility, professionalism and his creativity draw a lot of respect from his peers. Will he live up to the great expectations placed on him?

Justin Yu with Barry's ice shark at the World Pastry Cup, Lyon, 2013

Barry Jones, Ice-carving competitor 

Welsh-born Barry has worked around the world at some of the finest establishments including in Sydney, The Star casino where he was executive pastry chef. He nows works as a teacher, as well as for a French brand of pastry equipment, which leaves him more time to focus on his new role of ice-carver. How fast will he be able to master this new and challenging discipline, using chainsaws and other deadly tools?

Barry Jones, Ice-carving Competitor, training in France a few days before the World Pastry Cup, 2013


Jeroen Goossens Ice-carving trainer & Barry Jones


WHY MAKE THIS DOCUMENTARY?

Matthew and I have been filming the Australian pastry team since February 2011 and followed them in Singapore for the Asian Pastry Cup. After having seen many TV shows dedicated to "chefs de cuisine", we thought that it was high time for Australian pastry to shine, as it is still a not very well-known discipline, that requires a very high level of skills and involves so much more than cakes and desserts! 

It became even more obvious when we witnessed the Australian team of pastry chefs surpassing all expectations at the Asian Pastry Cup last April in Singapore and won Gold! 

This victory ensured them a spot in the finale, the World Pastry Cup in Lyon, in January 2013, which saw the team battle against the big countries of pastry, like France, Japan, Italy, Belgium... After 10 gruelling hours of hard work, the team managed to put all the required showpieces on display, and saw their efforts rewarded with a very honourable 7th spot. 


Justin Yu, Chocolate competitor at Hunter Valley Chocolate Festival, 2012


WHY THIS POZIBLE CAMPAIGN:

Our goal is to raise enough funds to start financing the post-production and find an editor to do a rough cut of the movie: 

- Editor - 12 weeks: min. $14,400
- Edit suite: min. $6,000 

So come on board and help us continue this journey, to bring a bit of pastry love to the Australian audience!

Your name will feature in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters!

0 chosen

Est. delivery is May 13

You will be able to download the movie + your name will feature in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters!

6 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a Bronze supporter, you will get: - a Poster - a Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

5 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a “Très-Important” Supporter, you will get: - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a Poster - a Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

1 chosen / 49 available

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a Silver Supporter, you will get: - a DVD - a Poster - a Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

4 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a “Super-Important” Supporter, you will get: - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a DVD - a Poster - a Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

1 chosen / 49 available

Est. delivery is Mar 14

This special “Pastry Lover” reward will get you: - a 6-month membership to http://www.learncakedecoratingonline.com worth $59.70 - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a DVD - a Poster - a Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters There are only 2 of these rewards, snap it up fast!

1 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a Gold Supporter, you will get: - Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

3 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a “Hyper-Important” Supporter, you will get: - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

0 chosen / 50 available

Est. delivery is Mar 14

The "Ouh la la!" Reward: A voucher to attend a cooking class at Patisse with famous French pastry chef Vincent Gadan! (valid until 31st Oct. 2013) The Patisse school is at 67-69 Regent St, Chippendale NSW, and you can check their classes on the website www.patisse.com.au + - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters

0 chosen / 1 available

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a Platinum Supporter, you will get: - an Invitation for 2 to screening launch - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters (PS: Travel expenses to screening launch at your charge)

0 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a Major Supporter, you will get: - a Meeting lunch with Directors/Writers - an Invitation for 2 to screening launch - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters (PS: Travel expenses at your charge)

0 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As a Special Sponsor, you will be entitled to: - an "Associate Producer" credit on screen - a Meeting lunch with Directors/Writers - an Invitation for 2 to screening launch - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters (PS: Travel expenses at your charge)

0 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14

As our Major Sponsor, you will be entitled to: - an Invitation to attend the editing process - an "Associate Producer" credit on screen - a Meeting lunch with Directors/Writers - an Invitation for you & guests to screening launch - a 1-year subscription to "Australian Baking Magazine" (6 issues, Australia shipping only) - a Thank You credit on screen - DVD - Poster - Download of Film - Your name in the online listing of our crowdfunding supporters (PS: Travel expenses at your charge)

0 chosen

Est. delivery is Mar 14