Rocking her show-stopping bright pink mohawk and full of boundless energy, Anna Polyviou is every inch a pastry powerhouse.

Beginning her career at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne in 2001 and after winning Best Apprentice in Victoria, Anna followed her dreams to work in London at Claridge’s Hotel, learning from the pastry industry’s finest minds. She went on to win several prestigious awards, including the Nadell Trophy (Dessert of the Year), the Culinary Academy Award of Excellence for Pastry and 2016’s Gault & Millau’s Pastry Chef of the Year. Anna ventured then to Paris and studied under acclaimed pastry doyen, Pierre Hermé.

Returning to Australia, Anna took up the role of Executive Pastry Chef and Culinary Creative Director at Sydney’s Shangri-La Hotel where, for seven years, she became a driving force behind the revolution of hotel pâtisseries across the country. It was during this time that Anna made her first unforgettable appearance on MasterChef Australia in 2014, setting the first of three incredible pressure tests she masterminded across consecutive seasons.

Currently in residence as Creative Director of Pastry at The Langham in Sydney, there is never a dull moment with Anna around as she wields her creative flair. Author of two top-selling cookbooks and with her cookie dough products available in supermarkets, Anna also has countless TV appearances to her name as both guest and host, including Family Food Fight, Snack Masters and My Market Kitchen. Viewers will also recall her as part of 2023’s jungle alumni on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, where she revealed a more vulnerable side.

Now Creative Director of her own business, Anna often shares her unrivalled pastry genius across many exciting collaborations, with fun always centre stage.

Though a stalwart of the Australian pastry scene, Anna says she still feels like an apprentice at heart and is keen to challenge herself during the Dessert Masters competition, drawing inspiration from being around like-minded friends and colleagues, new and old.

Expect Anna’s proud Greek heritage to be on display in the kitchen, alongside her trademark high octane approach as she gets ready to rumble for the top prize.