Mobile phone technician-turned pastry chef Clement Lim, owner of the Auckland's Yuan Taste cafe chain, feels he has found his true passion and calling.
Clement first moved to New Zealand in 2007 with his wife Caren and worked as a phone technician.
Caren at the time was working with her younger brother, who was the original owner of Yuan Taste at MidCity, opened in 2018 and Taste Cafe in DressSmart Onehunga.
But by 2019, Caren’s brother had wanted to close the business as sales had dropped drastically.
Feeling that the business had potential, the couple decided to take a gamble and took over the business from Caren’s brother.
“I left my job in 2019 and went full time into Yuan and Taste Cafe, working with my wife,” Clement said.
“Daily sales at the time was less than $1000 a day, and we had overheads and salaries of three staff to pay.”
The first six months was tough, Clement said, as they strived to build sales and worked long hours, seven days a week.
“We started checking the taste of the cake and egg tarts, and made some recipe changes based on what we know of Portuguese egg tarts taste in Malaysia,” he said.
The Portuguese have been part of Malaysia since 1509 when they first arrived in Malacca in search of a base in South East Asia. The egg tarts are a popular snack, especially in Malacca, where they were first introduced by the Portuguese Catholic nuns.
“When we were confident that we got the taste right, we started doing a big promotion with the aim of bringing back our regular customers,” Clement said.
“I am very glad many gave us a second chance. They came, they tried and they loved it.”
Today, Yuan’s aromatic egg tart - based on this new recipe - remains their signature item on their ever expanding menu. The tart was named as one of the top 100 Iconic Auckland Eats.
Yuan has now got four outlets, two in the central city, one in Onehunga and last month opened its fourth and largest Yuan Taste Cafe in Albany.
“We came into the business not knowing anything, and we couldn’t have done it without Caren’s youngest brother,” Clement said.
“He supported us a lot when we first took over the business, putting in money as we worked towards making the business viable and he also taught us lots about how to maintain and build the sales.”
The couple today holds the master franchise for Yuan Taste, which was first bought by Caren’s brother from Malaysia.
The flagship store at MidCity Mall was opened in May 2018 followed by Taste Cafe in Onehunga in November that same year.
“We really enjoy being in the business of making desserts and pastries, because they bring happiness to people,” Clement said.
“By seeing people happy, we feel happy too. Of course business is also about making money and having better lives, and we are now finally seeing our hard work reaping dividends.”
Clement said plans are underway to open more new stores around New Zealand and growing with their staff.
“Our concept is to keep our products fresh, using no preservatives, less sugar, less oil,” he said.
“I always tell my staff to see things from the customers’ perspective.
“I make sure also that what we sell are items that me, my employees and family also enjoy and can eat with peace of mind because healthy ingredients are used.”
Besides the egg tart, Clement also recommends the original sponge cakes as another must-try item at Yuan Taste.
“After five, six years of running the business, I feel that this is my true calling.” Clement said.
“If you asked me what is the thing that makes me happy, it’s when customers are happy with our food.
Yuan Taste Shop 19/239 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Tried and Tasted: Portuguese Egg Tart, Matcha Sponge Cake, Lemon Meringue Tart
This article is brought to you in partnership with Yuan Taste.
