Gallery: Madeleine de Proust Pop-Up Afternoon Tea at Yugen Tea Bar

Hyo Ju Park and Rong Yao Soh are the people behind much-loved Carlton bakery Madeleine de Proust. They’ve also just launched a debut cookbook detailing how home bakers can tackle the art of madeleine-making in their own kitchens – from humps and moulds to glazes and fillings.

To celebrate its launch, Access members joined the pair for a one-off afternoon tea at Yugen Tea Bar. Guests sipped teas, cocktails and mocktails from the host venue before it was time for the main event: tiny French cakes presented in a traditional high tea display on three-tiered stands.

First on the menu were the savouries: coronation chicken and pumpkin madeleine with coriander, and a cured smoked salmon and beetroot madeleine with cream cheese and chives.

Next, a flight of mini madeleines with eclectic flavours: yuzu, pandan and coconut, choc banana, Earl Grey Dulcey and truffle cheesecake.

The afternoon tea rounded off with classic madeleines served with strawberry jam and fresh cream, and a final showstopping Pink Carnation madeleine incorporating citrus cake, yuzu lemon ganache, black tea buttercream and white chocolate.

It’s fair to say guests left no crumbs – neither did the Yugen Tea Bar team or Park and Soh, who managed to have a few laughs with members while signing books and talking cakes.

If you missed out, don’t worry. Access hosts exclusive restaurant previews like this whenever there’s a hot new venue opening (or a great new cookbook on the shelves). To stay in the know, and nab your seat at the next one, join our membership program today.