Modern Australian Baking | Christopher Thé

Christopher Thé, founder of Blackstar Bakery and creator behind 'the world's most Instagrammed cake', presents a masterclass in Australian baking that's intimately rooted in place and crafted for a sustainable future. This beautifully designed cookbook celebrates how the Australian landscape and its distinctive native produce define a unique baking tradition.

Through over 80 recipes organized by season, Thé demonstrates how native ingredients transform familiar baking into something distinctly Australian. Geraldton wax adds floral notes to cheesecake with strawberry gum biscuit. Saltbush brings earthy depth to scones paired with desert lime marmalade. Even kangaroo shepherd's pie gets elevated with bush tomato relish. From truffle custard tarts to ouzo and citrus sorbet, green ant lamingtons to wattleseed creations, each recipe showcases Australia's extraordinary native pantry.

Born in Haberfield and trained in Sydney's finest restaurants including Quay and Claude's, Thé brings fine dining sensibility to artisan baking through his current venture Hearthe. His style is rustic yet elegant, influenced by nature's beauty and his deep knowledge of native ingredients like wattle seed, lemon myrtle, and lilly pilly. The book includes a comprehensive native ingredients guide explaining how to work with these increasingly accessible botanicals.

These recipes suit both newcomers to native ingredient baking and experienced bakers seeking inspiration. What unites them is Thé's vision of Australian baking that honours indigenous food culture while creating something entirely contemporary.