From Home‑Made Treats to Hot Café: Charmaine Hui’s Sweet Leap
Charmaine Hui—the 23‑year‑old culinary whiz and daughter of famed Hong Kong actor Benz Hui—just swapped her Yishun kitchen for a bustling spot at Springside Green. With a fresh lease signed in September, she’s already turned her dream into a vibrant café: Café Bakeholic.
What a Quick Turnaround!
In just a span of about two to three months, Charmaine went from snacking on rack‑stations to serving pastries right in front of her family’s home. “Thanks to Dr. Lee Bee Wah,” Benz said to Shin Min Daily News during the soft opening on Monday, December 21, “her support helped us squash countless hurdles and made my daughter’s dream a reality so quickly.”
Meet “Sister Flower” Lee Bee Wah
Lee—affectionately dubbed Sister Flower—played a pivotal role. She was there at the launch, flashing a warm smile that lit up the room. Her guidance helped navigate the maze of permits and logistics, letting Charmaine focus on the pastries.
What’s in Store at Café Bakeholic?
- Hand‑crafted breads & pastries
- Fresh fruit‑infused desserts
- Signature coffees & teas
- Vibrant, family‑friendly atmosphere
With Charmaine’s fresh twist and Dr. Lee’s seasoned backing, Café Bakeholic promises a sweet spot for locals looking to escape the ordinary. Keep your calendars handy—you’ll want to stop by for a slice of family‑lovingly made happiness.
Benz Hui Returns Home—Quarantine No More!
After a near‑decade of separation from his wife Angeli and daughter—thanks to a whirlwind filming schedule in Hong Kong and China—72‑year‑old TVB veteran Benz Hui finally made his way back to Singapore at the very start of the month. He landed just in time to help kick off a brand‑new café, proving the saying “home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling” all too true.
Quarantine’s End: A Huge Breather
With the 12‑month lockdown behind him, the seasoned actor laughed about the swiftness of his return. “I managed to reject a couple of mainland dramas,” he chuckled, “otherwise I’d have been stuck in quarantine again!”
“It’s such a relief,” he added. “I’ve finally breathed a long‑lived sigh. Now I can actually check my calendar without the fear of ink‑lines turning to quarantine marks.”
Backing Charmaine’s Café Dream
When the question came up about Charmaine’s fledgling business, Benz was all in—no doubt. “I’ve been shouting from the rooftops, ‘Go for it!’,” he said, recalling the moment he encouraged her to turn her home‑baking setup into a full‑blown café.
He added a heart‑felt note: “She’s pursuing what she loves, and that’s the true treasure. When you’re happy doing what you love, the world just smiles back. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”
Quick Highlights
- 10 months away from family during pandemic filming
- Return to Singapore coincided with Café opening
- Rejection of mainland TV roles to precede quarantine release
- Encouragement of Charmaine’s home‑baking to café transition
- Emphasis on passion-driven business success
Related Stories
For more on Benz’s Southeast Asian adventure, check out the article featuring his residence in Yishun.
