Kirsten Tibballs, proclaimed by MasterChef Australia as ‘The Queen of Chocolate’, stands as one of Australia’s most celebrated and internationally respected pastry chefs and chocolatiers.
As the sole global ambassador for leading chocolate manufacturer, Callebaut, Kirsten travels the world, showcasing her exceptional craft in chocolate and patisserie. In Australia, Kirsten’s notable work as an ambassador for Bulla Family Dairy includes transforming four of her signature desserts into a delectable ice cream range. The success of this range has made it a permanent offering.
Kirsten’s impressive collaborations span many renowned local and international brands, including Jura Australia, Miele, Stone Ambassador, Bvlgari, and Chanel to name a few. Her contributions in these collaborations highlight her talent and innovation.
Representing Australia at the World Pastry Team Championships in Las Vegas, USA, Kirsten earned the title of Best in the World for her handmade chocolates. Kirsten’s accolades also include gold and bronze medals in the Pastry Olympics in Germany for her exquisite patisserie and chocolate artistry.
As a testament to her expertise, Kirsten has served as President of Jury for Taste at the World Chocolate Masters in Paris. She has also had the honour of judging The Patisserie Grand Prix in Japan, and The World Chocolate Masters selections in London. Additionally, Kirsten globally launched a new concept in chocolate to 50 of the world’s leading food media in Venice.
Inspiring and educating through the screen, Kirsten’s TV show, The Chocolate Queen, premiered in 2018 and aired both in Australia and internationally. The show, focussed on home-bakers, featured achievable recipes and innovative chocolate tips and tricks. Its success led to four additional seasons and the show now broadcasted across 89 countries.
Kirsten’s talents extend beyond the kitchen as an accomplished author of three patisserie books: Chocolate to Savour, Chocolate, and most recently, Chocolate All Day. Her first book, Chocolate to Savour, was self-published and won the Best Photography award from Gourmand in the UK.
Kirsten makes regular television appearances and has presented numerous chocolate challenges on MasterChef Australia, including the 2017 Grand Finale challenge. In 2023, viewers saw Kirsten compete in the inaugural season of MasterChef spinoff, Dessert Masters, showcasing her remarkable flair for decadent creations as a contestant among other esteemed pastry chefs and sweet creators. She has also made many appearances including Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield, morning shows, and other television segments. Kirsten also showcases her craft through live demonstrations at events such as The Good Food & Wine Shows and the Cake Bake & Sweet Shows across Australia.
Passionate about sharing her knowledge, Kirsten founded Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School in Brunswick, Melbourne, in 2002. In 2013, she expanded its reach by launching an online platform featuring video tutorials for a global audience. Savour offers students a unique opportunity to learn from and work alongside world-renowned chefs in a state-of-the-art kitchen. As Australia’s first school dedicated solely to the art of chocolate and patisserie, Savour has seen many students go on to open boutique chocolate shops and patisseries worldwide.
Kirsten Tibballs continues to inspire, educate, and lead the world of chocolate and patisserie with her boundless creativity and passion.
