It’s no secret that Sweet Secrets is one of the gems among Hong Kong cake shops.
Initially a takeaway cafe and cake shop renowned for its cheesecakes and bespoke cake designs, Sweet Secrets took a drastic change of path in 2011, becoming the first bakery in Hong Kong to offer gluten-free desserts. It’s here to prove that plant-based, healthy, and “free-from” cakes can be just as tasty as the conventional ones – if not more! From loyal regulars to five-star hotel clients, how does Sweet Secrets capture the hearts of Hong Kongers? We chat with Sarah Lee, The Cake Lady and Founder of Sweet Secrets, to find out.
The story of Sweet Secrets, the go-to cake shop in Hong Kong for healthy desserts
Why did you decide to pivot your business?
Going “free-from” was not a commercial decision, but rather one of emotional empathy for my clients. I didn’t foresee my “free-from” desserts would be in such high demand! Like many others in Hong Kong, I have health issues (including auto-immune disorder and adrenal fatigue) and need to avoid many food ingredients – dairy and refined sugar being two of them. When I go to a cafe or restaurant, I can almost never find a dessert I can eat. This is the problem all my clients face, yet we aren’t talking about it due to the fear of being deemed a “hassle”. Businesses often see us as a minority and there’s no monetary incentive to cater for us, while serving staff and chefs aren’t knowledgeable about dietary restrictions and often have little patience to hear our needs. So, it made me think: how do we accommodate everyone when we want to socialise over food? I realised we needed to have a bigger conversation about food inclusivity.
What makes Sweet Secrets stand out from the many cake shops in Hong Kong?
We pride ourselves on creating inclusive and delectable cakes that address our customers’ needs. Currently, over 70% of our menu is free-from (i.e. recipes that may be without eggs, refined sugar, dairy, nuts, soy and/or other common allergens). We aim to address individuals who have eczema, auto-immune disorders, gut challenges, chronic diseases (including diabetes), or food intolerances, so that they don’t get left out at celebratory events. I believe we all deserve delicious cakes that serve our health needs!
What do you love the most about running your own business?
Sweet Secrets’ mission is to bring people together and create sweet, lasting memories. I’m proud that my team and I have managed to persevere through the past decade and more to craft our very own range of handmade, gluten-free desserts. Having been recognised by various awards has made me realise we can truly make an impact. This is what I love about my work: being able to raise awareness about food inclusivity, the ways food affects our health, and the fact that everyone’s health needs matter. No one should have to compromise here!
Sweet Secrets, Room 1203, Wing Lee Industrial Building, 54 Tong Mi Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 9371 9089
This post is in partnership with Sweet Secrets.
