Growing up in Vancouver, Canada the best memories involve sweets. Going to our favourite bakery to indulge in some tart apple danishs, vanilla rich choux creams, and creamy chocolate eclairs. Running to the neighbourhood bakery with my friend with our pocket change to get a slice or two of the blueberry cheesecake. Deep Fried Apple Pies to crave my guilty pleasures.

But it was in Japan, where I was introduced to french pastries. Pain au Chocolat, Croissants, sour crusty baguettes with normandy butter, Creme Brulee, Sable Breton, Mille Feuille, Tart Citron, the selection was endless. I still remember my favourite patisserie, "Pont Neuf". A shop tucked inside a french restaurant. Chocolate from France, Butter from France, Milk from Hokkaido. The cakes were so simple and elegant, but the memories were made once they entered my palate. It was a new experience, and though I did not know it then, those memories would guide to where I am today.