AMANDA STRANG
Model, actress & patisserie owner - Hong Kong
Amanda Strang has never been afraid of boundaries: The Tahiti-born with French and Taiwanese parentage who is currently based in Hong Kong established her reputation as a fashion supermodel and also dabbled in film business. Even though she is still a renowned mannequin and a well-known face in Hong Kong, she has turned her hand to culinary enjoyments when she opened her own patisserie, called petiteAmanda, in 2011. At the IFC, Central Hong Kong the name delivers what it promises: authentic French pastries.
Amanda Strang who is also known simply as Amanda S proves everyone wrong who freezes in places just because these are familiar and lets us appreciate the courage to make your dreams come true – even if the images of a celebrated fashion model and a pastry chef dedicated to French cakes and sweets might not be easy to put together at first sight. Please welcome the busy model-turned-entrepreneur and our first supporter out of Hong Kong as a friend of IWISHUSUN!
After you opened petiteAmanda, you told LifestyleAsia: „Cooking was always a hobby of mine, and I’m just a lover of life. I love all things that are beautiful, and food is one of those things because it pleases three senses: sight, smell and taste.“ If you had to choose one sense which one would it be?
Why?
This is such a hard question to answer. The 3 senses that pleases my love for cooking compliment each other. Wouldn’t be the same if all 3 weren’t working together. One sense enhances the other. But if I must choose then it would be taste when it comes to cooking.
You are a creative person and had a try in different fields. What is your vision for your personal work?
My vision would be to create something different and a unique brand of my own. As the world changes so does my vision.
You were and still are a successful model but then you enrolled in the Parisian campus of the famous French culinary school, „Le Cordon Bleu“ to become a professionally accredited pastry chef. What urged you to make this decision?
Enrolling in culinary school started as a course to satisfy my curiosity. I love trying different things. I hate to be bored. I wanted to be back in Paris with my family yet have something to do. I was always curious about pastry and I excelled well in chemistry back in high school. Pastry is all about precision and the combination of flavours for taste and texture.
When was the last time you gave back and what did you do?
The last time I gave back was sending teenagers to boarding in school in China. It’s a 3 year commitment. Its my fourth year supporting this program and I love it. Getting mail from the students I sponsored and watching them graduate.This year I will be visiting the school I’ve been supporting.
What is your tactic for making the world a better place?
Difficult to make this world a better place as an individual. I believe it all starts within yourself. Then slowly it will rub off on others to have the same desire. Then as a team we can make this world a better place.
What is the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen is a sincere smile.
What would you like to see more often?
I would like to see more smiles.
Sunrise or sunset – what do you prefer?
I prefer sunset. Something beautiful but it’s not the end of the day yet.
Who is your personal hero?
My personal hero is Oprah Winfrey.
What is your picture/taste for IWISHUSUN?
My picture of iwishusun is a brighter future.
