Grego is The Invy Baker

Jan

Grego with pastries on the table in front of him

The Invy Baker: A Passion for Local Flavours and Fresh Bakes

Nestled in the heart of Inverloch, The Invy Baker is a micro-bakery bringing a taste of Sweden to the Bass Coast. Grego Montalban Sanchez, the man behind this local treasure, has turned what started as a small-scale operation in 2020 into a renowned bakery known for its beautiful breads, delightful pastries, and delicious Swedish buns.

A Journey from Chef to Baker

Grego grew up in Granada, southern Spain, and has been a professional chef for over 25 years. After meeting his wife, Hanna, he moved to Melbourne before settling in Inverloch, where his family has lived for nearly a decade.

During a year-long sabbatical with his family in southern Sweden in 2019, Grego completed an intensive apprenticeship with one of Sweden’s top bakers. It was there that he perfected the art of sourdough and learned to bake the signature Swedish buns that have become a local favourite.

Seeing a gap in the market for fresh, locally made sourdough on the Bass Coast, Grego launched The Invy Baker in 2020. His philosophy focusses on quality over quantity. During the early days, Grego delivered his sourdough to local homes by e-bike!

“We believe in simple, beautiful baking. And we are proud to be able to deliver it straight to your door,” says Grego.

Grego preparing artisan pastries in his Inverloch micro-bakery.

Popular Offerings: Sourdough, Pastries, and Swedish Buns

Though sourdough was the first product Grego offered, he quickly expanded to include pastries and Swedish buns. These have become a fan favourite, with Grego selling over 400 Swedish buns each week.

“The Swedish buns are definitely our most popular item,” Grego shares, “But all our products are made with the same level of attention and love.”

Swedish buns and beautiful crispy pastries are a local favourite.

The Joy of Baking: More Than Just a Job

For Grego, baking isn’t just about making great products – it’s about the pride he feels when pulling his creations out of the oven.

“There’s something special about seeing a loaf of bread or pastry you’ve worked hard on come out perfectly,” he says. “But what really drives me is seeing people enjoy the products. That feedback from customers and local businesses gives me the energy to keep going.”

While the work is demanding, the satisfaction of seeing people connect with his goods makes it all worth it. Grego shares, “it’s not always easy, but when people tell me how much they love what we do, it makes it all worthwhile.”

All products are shaped by hand.

Expanding the Business While Staying True to Local Roots

As demand for his products grew, Grego expanded the bakery and invested in more ovens to keep up with production. What started with a single oven and a limited product range has now grown into a full operation, baking sourdough, pastries, and Swedish buns four days a week.

Despite the growth, Grego remains dedicated to maintaining a personal connection with his community. “I still do deliveries myself, and I love that connection,” he says. Whether it’s delivering directly to customers or visiting local cafes, Grego’s commitment to the Bass Coast community is at the heart of everything he does.

The Invy Baker delivering bread on a bike

Grego used to make deliveries to customers on his e-bike. He now delivers to a wide range of local businesses across Gippsland.

Building Strong Local Relationships

A key factor in The Invy Baker’s success has been its strong connection to the local community. With a background in hospitality, Grego was already well-established in the area and had strong relationships with local cafes and businesses. From the beginning, he tapped into these connections to supply fresh products to local shops and cafes.

“The ethos behind the brand is to provide good quality, use local ingredients, and deliver straight to the customer as much as possible,” Grego explains. “I started with just a few stockists, and over time, word of mouth and customer feedback helped me grow.”

Today, The Invy Baker proudly supplies products to a range of local businesses, including Udder & Hoe, Bev’s, Goshen Country, Zeal & Flow, Island Organics and much more. These partnerships have helped Grego build a loyal customer base across the Bass Coast.

Supporting Local: Why It Matters

The Invy Baker is a wonderful example of how supporting local can have a lasting impact on our community.

“When you support local, you’re helping the community grow, reducing environmental impact, and keeping the economy strong,” Grego explains.

Whether he’s delivering fresh products to local cafes or connecting directly with customers, Grego’s personal touch and genuine care for his community have made him a beloved part of the Bass Coast community.