How I Cook is a Q&A series that peels back the curtains so you get a glimpse of the backgrounds and stories of some of the best chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and food specialists in Vancouver.
When it comes to listing the top bakeries in Vancouver, Beaucoup Bakery is one that always lands on the list – for a very good reason.
We spoke with Co-owner & Pastry Chef Betty Hung to hear about her baking journey, the challenges and the rewards of the job, and her true feelings towards the Vancouver food scene.
How did you get into baking?
[Betty]: When our family and I moved to Vancouver from Hong Kong, I discovered my love of baking. I would bake all these little treats in high school and feed them to my friends. I had a sweet tooth when I was young so I love baking all things sweet.
How did your career get you to where you are today?
[Betty]: I enjoyed baking a log and eventually I made too much and had to think of ways to sell them so I could bake even more. I started my baking blog Yummy Workshop in 2011 and I was selling my treats at various craft markets on the side while working as graphic designer. When I was finished with graphic designer job, I decided to apply for a pastry cook position at Beaucoup Bakery in 2012.
I had no formal training and have just decided to give it a try. I started out as an unpaid intern and worked my way up to be the pastry chef a few years later. In 2017, my former boss Jackie Kai Ellis decided to move on from Beaucoup Bakery and my brother and I bought the business. We have been running it since then.
Where do you get your culinary inspiration from? (cultural heritage/family/mentor)
[Betty]: Growing up in a Chinese family, baking was not a common thing. My parents didn’t bake at all. If we wanted something like an egg tart or cake we’d always just buy it from a Chinese bakery.
I learned mostly from books and later the internet. When I started working at Beaucoup Bakery I learned a great deal about French pastry techniques from my mentor Jackie Kai Ellis and many of my wonderful colleagues at the time. My Asian heritage definitely does influence some of the flavours and menu developments.
What would we find you doing when you’re not in the kitchen?
[Betty]: I did a lot of pottery before COVID, and hope I can go back to studio soon to practice again.
What is your favourite part of your job?
[Betty]: I love working with my hands and getting into the “zone”. Time passes by so quickly.
What is your favourite pastry to make and why?
[Betty]: Hong Kong style sponge cakes – it is so simple and one of the first things that got me into baking as a child.
How do you balance your work time and personal time?
[Betty]: When I drive home I love listen to my favourite podcasts and take my mind off work. I try to make time to exercise, that helps a lot with my sleep and health.
What was the biggest challenge you faced to get to where you are today?
[Betty]: I think for a lot of other chefs as well – COVID in 2020. It was very difficult in the first lockdown of March 2020. We couldn’t find help as most people wanted stay safe (understandably) and we only operated as a takeout stand for very limited hours.
At that time we have also just moved to our new commissary kitchen space. For a month I was producing and baking all by myself with a little help from my mom until I was working more than 12 hours a day trying keep the business afloat and had to keep adapting to the ever-changing pandemic.
If you could give a piece of advice to your past self, what would you say?
[Betty]: Don’t be afraid to be assertive.
What is your under-the-radar food spot in Vancouver?
[Betty]: Linh Cafe – specializing in Vietnamese French food.
What do you love and hate about Vancouver’s food scene?
[Betty]: Love – people are so adventurous to try out new flavours, things, and everything delicious.
Hate – not sure if I have any I really hate…
This is only a bite into the successes of Co-Owner and Pastry Chef Betty Hung.
But the next time you visit the Beaucoup Bakery you will know a little bit more about the effort served into the food in front of you.
Address: 2150 Fir Street, Vancouver BC V6J 3B5
Website | Instagram | Facebook
This piece has been prepared with the help of Kameela Nash.