[5] For ten years the Jam Tarts were a successful touring and recording band within Australia and performed at international music festivals.
They performed live on NBC's Today Show, at the 1987 Edinburgh Fringe Festival,[7] and toured with Rik Mayall and Jonathan Richman.
[8] The Jam Tarts also played as part of a larger band in combination with the Nansing Quartet, a six piece band whose members included Lucky Oceans, Adam Gare, Sam Lemann, Peter "Biff" Vincent, Peter Bell and Neale Austin.
Whilst Gare was in the Jam Tarts, she supplemented her rock and roll lifestyle with cooking, where she worked in various restaurants around Australia.
[4] The series involved various Australian chefs and cooks, who invited viewers into their homes to share their festive season entertaining "secrets".
[5][13] In late 2008, she was approached by the producers of Masterchef Australia and auditioned for the position of mentor, host or judge on the show.
Her eldest brother Adam is a musician and member of The Nansing Quartet, and her sister, Sophie, is married to English comedian and author Ben Elton.