London born chef, cookbook author and TV personality Rachel Khoo returns to Australia next month to commence filming season 2 of Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off. She’s the new co-judge alongside pastry king Darren Purchese, and joins comedian hosts Cal Wilson and Nicole Tran on a wholesome baking adventure she couldn’t resist being part of.

“I have done many cooking TV shows around the world and what I loved about being asked to join The Great Australian Bake Off is that we’re all new to the roles,” says Rachel Khoo.

“Sometimes on other shows it’s hard to get in the momentum when you’re joining others who have been part of it for years, and then you come along. What I love about filming in Australia is that we’re learning the ropes together, and it’s put everyone at ease,” Khoo says.

“Life is too short to be guilty about food; just enjoy it to the fullest, you’ll get much more pleasure out of it.”

Now a married mother of three living in Sweden, Khoo moved from London to Paris in 2006 to chase her pastry dream. The St. Martin’s Art and Design graduate worked in fashion PR before studying at Le Cordon Bleu.

In 2010, Khoo followed a fellow Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Francesca Unsworth, to Sydney to launch Edible Immigration Tales − a food pop-up from their apartment in Bondi that looked at the food history of migrant Australia − hosting no more than 12 at the table.

On the menu was kingfish tartare and finger limes; the cheekily titled Foster’s free lager and lemon sorbet; a bush bride’s ration pudding, made with granny smith pickle; and a hand-made pie with caramelised mushroom puree.

“We had such a great time doing those dinners,” Khoo says. “But now to be back and involved in a wholesome cooking show is just wonderful. There is plenty of team camaraderie and contestants support each other and that’s what I really enjoy seeing too.”

Eating in

Go-to dish at home:

I’m going through a crispy tofu phase right now. Cut a firm tofu into cubes and toss it in some cornflour, salt and pepper. Fry in olive oil until golden. Throw onto a salad or serve with steamed greens and fresh red chillies. Delicious.

My guilty pleasure:

Life is too short to be guilty about food; just enjoy it to the fullest, you’ll get much more pleasure out of it. I always grab a packet of cheap salt and vinegar chips when I am back in the UK. They are not available in Sweden and France, so it’s a must when I go back there as I don’t have it regularly.

Kitchen wisdom I cling to:

1. Check your fridge and cupboards before you go shopping. You’re less likely to waste food and save money.
2. My maternal Austrian grandma loved butter. She would always complain if mum or my aunts made something that didn’t have enough butter. It’s a motto I have adopted too − always add more butter − it makes everything better.

Eating out

My favourite hometown restaurant (and go-to dish):

If I’m taking friends or family who are visiting Stockholm for the first time, I always end up at Sturehof which is a Stockholm institution, and somewhere I’ve been going to for years. They serve classic Swedish husmanskost (home-cooked food) but with seasonal specials.

I always have to have the Kalix vendace roe toast (made with caviar from a fish found in the Baltic Sea archipelago) which is served with brioche fried in butter, sour cream, finely chopped red onion and chives. It’s very simple but oh so good.

My favourite hometown cafe (and snack):

I love a good bakery and Stockholm has a fair few. One of my favourites is Lillebrors Bageri (little brother’s bakery). Swedes are known for their cinnamon and cardamom buns, but at Lillebrors they are on another level. A soft rich dough is heavily spiked with cardamom, butter and sugar. When they bake, the sugar and butter pool together and create a spicy caramel. Hot out of the oven, they’re drenched with even more butter.

What is your favourite place to eat in Australia?

One of my favourite food memories is eating at Flower Drum in Melbourne with food writer Tony Tan. I was filming a food series at the time and had met Tony through the TV show. We connected via our Chinese-Malaysian roots and he took me to Flower Drum where were treated to the most exquisite Cantonese dishes.

What’s your favourite food city and why?

I’d have to say Paris. I love going to markets there. Visit Marche d’Aligre in the 11th arrondissement − it gives you a look into how the locals shop and there’s a flea market, too. You get a feel for all that France has to offer when it comes to produce.

The inside, covered market is more expensive − you can find beautiful strawberries from Provence and fat, juicy white asparagus from Alsace. There’s cheese stands and butchers. I also recommend any of the wine bars within the market where they shuck oysters, and you can enjoy a glass of Chablis. That’s what I like to do when I go. You get a feel for Parisian life here. Just remember don’t eat a baguette while walking on the street − that’s a big no-no if you’re in France.

I also love the hole-in-the-wall Bob’s Juice Bar. It’s Anglophile and a good vibe. If you’re in Paris, and can’t eat any more croissants and pastries, you can get a great green juice and lovely flavour-packed vegetarian or vegan salad. I am a bit biased because I worked there years ago, and I have fond memories of making hundreds of juices there.