Tufei first opened way back in 2006, if I'm not mistaken, with a bakery cum restaurant on Caine Road. They ended up getting a cult following for their sourdough bread, which is made with wild yeast and all-natural, no-preservative-added ingredients.
Unfortunately, rents increased, and they were forced to move out. They took a sabbatical and then ended up reopening over in SoHo on Staunton Street.
I hadn't had a chance to pass by until recently, and I was dismayed to find out that they are considering shutting the shop down because of a rent increase again! Fortunately, there's always the Internet, so I shall link you to their Web site at the end of this entry because their breads are really just divine. They're all reasonably priced, starting at HKD25.
Tufei also stocks a selection of artisanal condiments, jams and wines and fresh produce from the local farms.
That's them above Annapurna.
French country bread!
My favourites! On the left is raisin and walnut and on the right is almond and fig.
Fruitcake! You can pre-order them for Christmas.
Banana bread!
Check out their Web site here for more information and to order!
And if I may, I'd also like to devote a bit of time to express my thoughts regarding how small businesses, entrepreneurs and people involved in the arts have a difficult time in Hong Kong simply because of expensive rents.
Art and design are a very important part of Chinese history and culture, but the government's initiatives to integrate them into the community and schools are really hindered by the fact that rents are so high that a lot of people simply move to China.
Obviously, as someone who's also involved in artisanal work, this is an issue very close to my heart. I would really love the chance to work on my stuff full time, but because I have to pay rent (among other financial obligations to my family), I have to take on freelance work.
I'm doing relatively okay, in fact, but I had a privileged upbringing that's given me certain skills and an education that allows me to do my part-time work in a fairly lucrative field. What about the artists, designers, musicians, artisans who haven't had the same privilege?
The government is developing subsidized areas for artists to stay at, but I don't think that it'll help grow a community because of the bureaucracy and politics involved. Communities spring up more or less organically, as you can see in areas with low rents like Fotan, where a lot of artists live/work, and Kwun Tong, which is where musicians go, and even Kowloon Walled City is a great example.
But the problem is that once these communities start to grow, rents begin to increase, and people are forced to pack up and move on once again. It's just so frustrating, isn't it?
