Something that I really miss in Langkawi is some good pastry, breads and English pies! After years on Langkawi I found that my epicurean psyche was extremely malnourished. Especially when it came to fresh English and French baked goods, baked the good-old-fashioned-way. That is when a friend suggested I go to the ‘Doctor’.
DR. PASTRY
“Hey! I mean I miss the baked goods, but I’m not sick!” I said, thinking that I was being miss understood. “No not a medical doctor, Doctor Pastry!” was the expressive reply. Hmmm, I thought maybe this person needed a doctor. But I was patient, and sipped my refreshing tea and waited for the explanation.
It turns out that Dr. Pastry is a local island baker and purveyor of all sorts of delectable baked goods, that you miss from home. Dr. Pastry is no hobbyist turned professional but a consummate professional turned hobbyist. I had to check this guy out.
FRESH BAKED GOODS
It was serendipity that I met him at T52 on a music jam night. Not only is he a baker but a musician. After a lengthy coffee fueled discussion I learned a lot about his history and pledged to visit his home to find out more. Dr. Pastry,
or Paul , started baking in England at the young age of 10. He first honed
his skills as a butcher for 10 years before he opened his own bakery in North Hamptonshire, England during the 1980′s, aptly named ‘The French Connection’. As his clientele grew he bought the adjacent building, blew
through the adjoining wall and added a French restaurant.
THAT’S ONE SWEET KITCHEN!
With more than thirty years in the food industry as a butcher, baker, chef and kitchen consultant, Paul retired and came to Langkawi in 2010. And Dr. Pastry was born! I visited him at his beautiful home down a narrow winding road nestled amongst the padi fields. The kitchen was hot with the heat of the oven and the smell of rising bread. His knowledge of English, French and Italian baking is amazing!
CAKES!
‘I have about 200 recipes in my head’, Paul said as he put on his custom apron. While we chatted he loaded the counter with a wide assortment of breads, fruit pies, meat pies, éclairs, chocolates and more. The lemon cheese cake was incredible as were the chocolate truffles. ‘Baking help fills the gaps’ he said. I assume his time and one’s stomach! Dr. Pastry can assist you with any baking needs you have. He loves baking for friends and family, so get in touch with him at Doctorpastry@gmail.com
