When Hong Kong actress Natalie Tong left TVB after 19 years in 2022, she said she wanted to take a break and pursue other interests.
One of those interests is baking. The 43-year-old often shares her experience learning from bakers in Japan and Hong Kong on Instagram and even attended a three-day intensive bread and pastry-making course in Tokyo last year.
Natalie recently fulfilled her long-time dream of opening a bakery.
Called 33 Cubread, the bakery, which specialises in Japanese-style toast, had its soft opening last week and the hands-on star has been seen serving customers and restocking shelves with bakes.
Among the celebs who were spotted showing their support at the Causeway Bay store include actress Priscilla Wong.
According to reports, response has been overwhelming, with long lines of customers snaking out the doors and the bakes were sold out by 4pm.
Well, we’re not surprised. The bakery is headed by celebrated Japanese baker Yoshiyuki Kawashima, who runs popular bakery nichinichi in Kanagawa prefecture.
Some of 33Cubread’s signatures include Danish pastries, “raw toast”, and cube croissants, all made in-house using premium Hokkaido flour and milk.
Natalie has appeared in more than 50 dramas since joining TVB in 2000.
Her performance in 2010 martial arts drama A Fistful of Stances won her the Most Improved Female Artiste award at the TVB Anniversary Awards, and she was named Best Actress for My Unfair Lady in 2017.