Zumbo’s Just Desserts: Gigi Falanga says her secret to staying trim is ‘kicking butt’

SHE spends all day eating cakes and pastries packed with carbs and sugar, but food TV star Gigi Falanga reveals the secret to staying trim is kicking butt.

THEY say you should never trust a skinny pastry chef.

But don’t let Gigi Falanga’s incredibly toned frame fool you — she’s a whiz with all things sweet and is fast becoming Australia’s next dessert queen.

Pulling on a pair of gloves and throwing some sharp right hooks is the culinary beauty’s secret to counteracting all those carbs and sugar.

“You have to be careful, of course,” Falanga said. “I’ve always tried to keep a healthy balance between my work and my lifestyle. I’ve always tried to stay fit.”

The Brazilian native might be a new face to television viewers, as a mentor in Channel Seven’s hit new baking competition Zumbo’s Just Desserts, but she’s been slogging it out for years in some of the country’s best kitchens, including Sydney’s famed Shangri-La Hotel.

Gigi Falanga from . Zumbos New Show on Seven ZumboÕs Just Desserts. Pic Chris Pavlich

Now, on the back of the successful reality series, she’s going out on her own with a new cake business in Sydney. And that means taste-testing a lot of potential products, Falanga said.

“At the end of the day, because I try so many desserts, and not often just one bite, so I think it’s really important to exercise regularly,” she said.

Zumbos Just desserts team, with Adriano Zumbo, Rachel Khoo and Gigi Falanga

When she’s not whipping up creations in the kitchen, you’ll find the former model hitting the surf, boxing, running or lifting weights at the gym.

“Fitness keeps my mind clean too. I feel focused and healthy, it relieves stress. I love it.”

Back in Brazil, where Falanga worked as a model, she’d often take off to small coastal spots on the weekend to bodyboard.

Not long after arriving in Australia several years ago, she wanted to try “standing up”. Her boyfriend, former pro surfer Sam Page, recently bought her a longboard and has been giving her lessons, she said.

“I’m learning from the best,” she beamed.

Gigi Falanga and boyfriend Sam Page- Instagram

Falanga is also a long-time boxer, proving she can kick butt in and out of the kitchen.

Despite spending most of her time cooking for a living, Falanga said she still loves nothing more than baking at home for friends.

“When I make cakes for clients or friends, I always make extra so I can have a bit at home,” she laughed.

“And there are always mousses in the freezer that I get out when we’re watching TV. I get some mousse, a bit of cream, some fruit, maybe some pastries ... I make a plate of dessert for Sam and he’s like, wow, where did this come from?”

Zumbo’s Just Desserts launched last Monday to a national television audience of 1.53 million and there are now a host of exciting possibilities on the horizon for Falanga.

Gigi Falanga from . Zumbos New Show on Seven ZumboÕs Just Desserts. Pic Chris Pavlich

“It’s all very exciting. I had a meeting with my talent agency (on Friday) and my heading is spinning around. It’s like, what should I do?

“I’m excited to see what happens from here.

“It’s my first time on TV and I really enjoyed the experience. Although when I heard my accent in the first episode, I was like, what is that? There’s room to improve!”

Zumbo’s Just Desserts airs Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven.