Just a quick post today. We recently discovered Googg Bakery, not far from the buzz of Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po, the bakers here are making fresh biscuits into novel shapes – Stylebrief particularly loves the ring, horses and alphabet ones. Their delectable handiwork can also be found at Unar Coffee at the Star Ferry in TST.
Googg Bakery, Shop 12, Ground Floor/ Cheung Fai Building, 401-405 Po On Road, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon. Tel: +852 3460 3304
I love the day-to-day living in Hong Kong. It’s an international mix of people: my neighbour is French; another friend is Spanish (she has the best sandals from San Sebastian); I buy my stationary from the delightful Hong Kong local Mr Ho at Po Man’s in Happy Valley, and when I’m looking for authentic spices to make an Indian dish I visit Chungking Mansions in Kowloon. The building is far from glamorous – design circa 1960s, but inside is a series of stalls selling all the herbs, spices, ghee and flours you would need for an Indian feast. I asked an Indian friend for her chola masala recipe. She explained that chloa masala is a northern Indian dish and that it’s mostly had with Batura (deep fried Indian bread) but following her suggestion, we served it with roti as she explained it was the healthier option.
One of the most fun things about working for Hong Kong Tatler and Eve magazine was the many invitations to press events. They were exquisitely written by the most exacting and fluid hand. Now the focus is on the man behind these invitations. His name is Patrick Leung of Grafik Design Ltd, and he is the most amazing calligrapher – his portfolio of work includes jobs for Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Chanel and Bvlgari, to name just a few of the clients he has worked for. Discover your own inner calligrapher with Patrick in a one-on-one class – he will teach individuals or take a group class. If you’ve got an engagement, wedding or party invitations to organise, need we say more?
Why Grafik Design?
Some of the things you might do in a day?
Practice
What are two things that are important to you?
I have a high standard in writing and appreciate the finer things in life
Which calligraphers do you admire?
Professor Hermann Zapf, Hermann Kilian and Friedrich Poppl they are all German.
Who or what inspires you?
Gottfried Pott, a German calligrapher really inspires me. I also love mixing instruments and materials to create East meets West.
Our families were always into making things and both our mothers sewed. For me, every time I found something I loved from the editorial pages of Australian Vogue my mum turned the image into a real-life outfit almost magically from air. Now whenever we go to Sham Shui Po the fabric stalls seem to draw us both in. It’s no secret that you have to get to know the streets, otherwise looking is just too overwhelming. It’s become a family tradition to go there hunting for beautiful laces, velvets, cheesecloths, wools and silks, and all the bits of cord and tassels you sometimes need. There is so much to see in Sham Shui Po so we have decided to just cover the open air fabric market this time. One of our favourites is Ki Lung Street between Yen Chow street and Wong Chuk Street where you can buy fabrics straight off the roll. There is one stall that has lovely Japanese cottons; others stock Chinese fabrics, calico and off-cuts from designers. Opposite this open-air market are wholesalers who have some great raw linens, which being pretty strong are perfect for upholstery. Think fabric for deck-chairs or special cushions on outdoor furniture. Sewing pins, fabric pens, zips, sewing cotton and interfacing are available from two stores at either end of the fabric market.
Happy sewing!
While they’re still in season, we went out to the Strawberry Farm in Tai Po and picked some strawberries. They were deliciously ripe and organic and we ended up with two full boxes! I made a healthy strawberry cordial with fresh basil and black peppercorns. Serve these up for guests mixed with sparkling mineral water – they also look very pretty at any gathering and kids especially love the taste. See recipe below.
Directions: We drove to the Strawberry Farm which is next door to the Tai Mei Tuk BBQ King on the right hand side off Ting Kok Road in Tai Po District (look for the big yellow sign showing strawberry picking on the right hand side just after the BBQ King). If you want to go by MTR then the closest MTR stop is Tai Po Market on the East Rail Line. From there, take KMB bus 75k or a green New Territories taxi. There are plenty of signs so it is easy to find.
At the moment the Buddha’s Hand Citron plant is in season. They have a fresh, lemony aroma and the flavour is subtle without any juice. Unlike a lemon there is no juicy flesh so slice them lengthwise and use only the rind. They are used to flavour lemon liqueurs, specialty vodkas and to add a fresh and lemon scent to beauty products. Even the scent of a room can also be reinvigorated by hanging them around the home. They’re one of the oldest members of the citrus family and a native of China so if you want to experiment with some original flavour in the kitchen or add some colour to the fruit bowl seek out these lovely bright yellow things at the Flower Market in Kowloon or search for them at fruit and vegetables markets around Hong Kong.
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