Bottega Residency Spotlights Local Pastry Chef Janice Wong
Bottega Residency, the virtual multi-platform concept by luxury house Bottega Venetta has tapped into Singaporean talent for their latest roster, and it’s none other than homegrown pastry chef Janice Wong.
The owner of 2am:dessert bar and sweet concept label JANICE WONG Singapore is the first local talent to be featured in this project.
“I was contacted by email and phone by Bottega and they explained to me about the residency program which I found very interesting and inspiring - it was certainly a surprise from me as I am the first from Singapore to be featured in this residency,” says Wong to L’Officiel Singapore.
The multi-award winning pastry chef learnt her ropes from some of the world’s best chefs, including US luminaries Thomas Keller and Grant Achatz, virtuoso Spanish chocolatier Oriol Balaguer, and prodigious French pastry chef Pierre Hermé.
She has been named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef; for the second year running by the prestigious San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best for 2013 & 2014. Janice Wong also won the title of Pastry Chef of the Year from the World Gourmet Summit Awards in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
In this feature, Wong shows us how we can make our very own chocolate paint from the comforts of our home. Here’s how:
And how is the pastry chef herself spending her time during this circuit breaker period? Going back to her first passion - baking. “I have been baking much from home after work during the circuit breaker as I haven't been able to travel anymore. Thus with more time, baking for my family has become more of a joy,” she says.
If you’re looking to sink your hands into baking some of her confectionaries, she has also launched a Bake At Home series, where you can shop for premix cake packs, baking ingredients, equipment and accessories so you and your family can easily replicate some of Janice Wong’s all-time favourites and classics at home.
“Most of our premix recipes are created based on memories of childhood, which is what I enjoy to bake for mum and dad.” she says, and highlights the butter cake as one of the recipes inspired from her childhood.
The Bottega Residency comes as a much needed virtual respite amidst our current pandemic uncertainties. It is a celebration of creativity and joy, spotlighting a range of talents from writers and musicians to film directors and performers. Previous creatives included Daniel Lee from the label itself, and prolific photographer Tyrone Lebon, who has shot multiple campaigns for the label.
You can check out Bottega Residency via Instagram and Spotify.
