Famed Hong Kong-based model and television personality Amanda Strang— fondly known to everyone as Amanda S.— ventures into the food and beverage business with Petite Amanda, a new patisserie now opened. The well-known model of French-Taiwanese heritage is no stranger to baking or cooking though. Amanda’s passion for pastries began six years ago when she started her training at the renowned school
of culinary arts, Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Meanwhile, she has been a fixture of cooking shows on television in Hong Kong, from the wacky Beautiful Cooking series, to the more serious gigs on the shows of food experts Chua Lam and master cook Chow Chung. On top of them all, she also created a blog devoted to food in 2010. After gaining her first certificate from Cordon Bleu in 2005, Amanda went on to gain further accreditations including a diploma in pastry. Meanwhile, she gained on-the-job experience over the past six years by serving as an apprentice at Caprice, Ladurée and Jacques Genin, a small Parisian chocolatier. With the practical skills on hand, Amanda is ready to take on the business of opening her very own French pastry haunt.
“It has been my dream since I was a child,” says Amanda. “It’s called petite Amanda because it’s like my own baby! It is special because there are not too many authentic old style and classic French pastries and cake shops in Hong Kong,” she continues. “I love all the restaurants and cafes at ifc, and when the opportunity comes up to have my own place there, I leapt at this lucky chance. It has taken a year to bring it together.”
Described by Amanda as “simple, and not too sweet, like authentic French pastries,” her favourite pick is the Plaisir Sucré, the crunchy wafer-thin chocolate and hazelnut concoction that is totally irresistible. Another favourite of Amanda’s is the old style baguette, and delicious coffee made from organic beans. The petite Amanda aesthetic is one of overflowing colours, completing the equally tempting cakes, fruit tarts, croissants and cookies. “I want people to stop by and pick their favourite cakes like they would be shopping for lipsticks. It’s the small joys of life; simple things are the best,” she says. Among the many alluring baked items available at petite Amanda are Plaisir Sucré, Charlotte aux Poires, Merveille, Brésilienne, Mango Tart, Chocolate Tart, Mille Feuille and Délice aux Abricots; baguettes like Pain de Campagne, and Pain aux Noix et Abricots; Pain au Chocolat, Apple Danish, Kougloff; and a selection of Croissants, Brioches and cookies. Beverages include coffees, cappuccino, espresso and a variety of teas and fruit teas.
