From foils to fondant: Brisbane hairdresser infuses Filipino flair with a creative twist on The Great Australian Bake Off

Brisbane hairdresser Gregson Gastar is swapping salon tools for spatulas and mixing bowls as he steps into the spotlight on the latest season of The Great Australian Bake Off — and he’s bringing his Filipino heritage with him.

Queensland hairdresser Gregson Gastar is taking his baking skills up a notch as he competes on the latest season of The Great Australian Bake Off. Credit: Supplied by Grande Creative and Gregson Gastar

Key Points

• Known for his creative flair with colour and cuts, Gregson is about to show Australia he can whip up more than just great hairdos.
• Gregson's passion for cooking rooted for his love for Filipino food.
• Among his favourite desserts to make are ube cheesecake, bibingka and ensaymada.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

From foils to fondant: Brisbane hairdresser infuses Filipino flair with a creative twist on The Great Australian Bake Off

SBS Filipino

27:58Filipino

Professional hairdresser Gregson Gastar is known for bringing creativity to both the salon and the kitchen bench.

"I have been cooking more before doing hair. I've always loved cooking," Gregson fondly shares.

Adding, "[B]ecause coming to Australia more than 30 years ago, I always wanted to cook Filipino food growing up."

I think being creative is what really got me into cooking.

Gregson Gastar

Now 46, Gregson has spent over 30 years as a professional hairdresser, but his passion for food has always simmered on the side.

"One of my biggest dreams is to run cooking classes that celebrate my Filipino heritage.

Sharing the stories, flavours, and traditions I grew up with in a way that's fun, accessible, and full of heart," the hairdresser turned baker-cook reveals.

Credit: Gregson Gastar (Instagram)

Best known by his regular clients for his precision and flair behind the salon chair, he now hopes to impress judges with his baking skills as he finally broke off his Great Australian Bake Off debut.

After cheering from the sidelines, the Brisbane hairdresser is now showing the baking competition judges that he’s more than capable in the kitchen.

Gregson Gastar (seated, 1st from left) with the other Bake Off contestants and Judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese and the show's hosts, Tom Walker and Natalie Tran. Credit: Foxtel / Stu Bryce as supplied by Grande Creative

"I never thought I'd get on the show, but after one of the show's producers found me on TikTok and asked me to audition, I thought, why not?"

"For the audition, I can say that I make something purple, yes, the ube, to honour my Filipino heritage."

As the Bake Off starts airing on July 26, every Tuesday for the next 10 weeks, "the audience can expect to see a lot of colour and maybe some dancing" from Gregson.

Credit: Supplied by Grande Creative

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