In this episode, Tawnya Bahr sits down with renowned pastry chef and longtime friend Christopher Thé, whose creativity has reshaped the way Australians think about desserts.

From his early days at the legendary Claude’s to creating the world’s most Instagrammed cake at Black Star Pastry, Chris has always pushed boundaries. But after building a global phenomenon, he walked away — and in doing so, opened the door to a new era of artistry and authenticity.

Today, Christopher invites us into his world at Hearthe, his Stanmore bakery and café dedicated to modern Australian baking and the use of native ingredients. He shares how his mindset has shifted from the ambition of his 20s, to the whirlwind of his 30s, and now to a more deliberate, grounded chapter where food language, artistry, and community are at the core.

We explore:
The lessons learned working under Tim Pak Poy at Claude’s
The rise of Black Star Pastry and what it felt like to walk away
Why Australian native ingredients are central to his baking today
How Hearth reflects his values of connection, sustainability, and creativity
The evolution of a chef’s mindset from 20s → 30s → now
Balancing artistry with the practical realities of running a business
The launch of his new book, Modern Australian Baking
Reimagining the famous strawberry watermelon cake version 2.0

This is a story about reinvention, resilience, and the power of creating a food language that speaks from both heart and earth.

Learn more about Hearthe: https://www.hearthe.com.au 

Follow Hearthe: https://www.instagram.com/hearthe_aus/ 

Follow Christopher Thé: https://www.instagram.com/the_christopher_the/ 

This episode is proudly presented in partnership with UNOX Australia, leaders in smart oven innovation for commercial and residential kitchens. Learn more at www.unox.com and www.unoxcasa.com 

In this episode, Tawnya Bahr sits down with renowned pastry chef and longtime friend Christopher Th&eacute;, whose creativity has reshaped the way Australians think about desserts.
From his early days at the legendary Claude&rsquo;s to creating the world&rsquo;s most Instagrammed cake at Black Star Pastry, Chris has always pushed boundaries. But after building a global phenomenon, he walked away &mdash; and in doing so, opened the door to a new era of artistry and authenticity.
Today, Christopher invites us into his world at Hearthe, his Stanmore bakery and caf&eacute; dedicated to modern Australian baking and the use of native ingredients. He shares how his mindset has shifted from the ambition of his 20s, to the whirlwind of his 30s, and now to a more deliberate, grounded chapter where food language, artistry, and community are at the core.
We explore:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The lessons learned working under Tim Pak Poy at Claude&rsquo;s</li>
<li aria-level="1">The rise of Black Star Pastry and what it felt like to walk away</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Australian native ingredients are central to his baking today</li>
<li aria-level="1">How Hearth reflects his values of connection, sustainability, and creativity</li>
<li aria-level="1">The evolution of a chef&rsquo;s mindset from 20s &rarr; 30s &rarr; now</li>
<li aria-level="1">Balancing artistry with the practical realities of running a business</li>
<li aria-level="1">The launch of his new book, Modern Australian Baking</li>
<li aria-level="1">Reimagining the famous strawberry watermelon cake version 2.0</li>
</ul>
This is a story about reinvention, resilience, and the power of creating a food language that speaks from both heart and earth.
Learn more about Hearthe:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hearthe.com.au">https://www.hearthe.com.au</a>&nbsp;
Follow Hearthe: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hearthe_aus/">https://www.instagram.com/hearthe_aus/</a>&nbsp;
Follow Christopher Th&eacute;: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_christopher_the/">https://www.instagram.com/the_christopher_the/</a>&nbsp;
This episode is proudly presented in partnership with UNOX Australia, leaders in smart oven innovation for commercial and residential kitchens. Learn more at <a href="https://www.unox.com">www.unox.com</a> and <a href="https://www.unoxcasa.com">www.unoxcasa.com</a>&nbsp;

Welcome to Food, Views and Big Ideas where food and hospitality experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon go behind-the-scenes to have candid conversations with Australia’s most dynamic food, hospitality and agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. 

Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more episodes of Straight To The Source on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

To stay up to date follow Straight to the Source on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Welcome to Food, Views and Big Ideas where food and hospitality experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon go behind-the-scenes to have candid conversations with Australia’s most dynamic food, hospitality and agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. 
Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more episodes of Straight To The Source on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/straight-to-the-source/id1610058270">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1FwFeGJI0wp15O9KiDn28c?si=20a9b788479446c7">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@straighttothesource7730">YouTube</a>.
To stay up to date follow Straight to the Source on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight.to.the.source/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/straighttothesourcefoodtours">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/to_the_source">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/straight-to-the-source/">LinkedIn</a>.

Straight To The Source

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.

Hosted by two of Australia’s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.

With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider’s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.

From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.

Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.

Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

To stay up to date, follow Straight to the Source on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.
Hosted by two of Australia&rsquo;s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.
With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider&rsquo;s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.
From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.
Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.
Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/straight-to-the-source/id1610058270">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1FwFeGJI0wp15O9KiDn28c?si=20a9b788479446c7">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@straighttothesource7730">YouTube</a>.
To stay up to date, follow Straight to the Source on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight.to.the.source/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/straighttothesourcefoodtours">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/straight-to-the-source/">LinkedIn</a>.

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