KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 -- The handcrafted industry in Klang Valley is booming with newbies cropping up each time a bazaar happens. The scene is just as active up north in Penang.

Mah Chun Huey, 34, and her partner Woong Yuh Wah, 31, have been active in the handcrafted scene for the past eight years beginning with their recycled billboard banner business online. But it was Mah’s (better know as Huey) niece who got her started with experimenting with marshmallows.

“In 2011, we started making marshmallows because my niece liked them but I was not too fond of the ones found in supermarkets because they were rubbery. For us, it was about good ingredients and getting the right texture and consistency,” said Huey during a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur.

The couple started with classic flavours such as vanilla, lemon and chocolate. Friends from the handcrafted scene encouraged them to sell the marshmallows. During Art for Grabs back in December 2011, they did just that and it was so popular that even the tasters were sold out!

Last year, Huey&Wah opened their first production/retail cafe at Straits Quay in Penang where they serve drinks to accompany their fluffy sweets. They’ve also got cakes and desserts such as lemon passionfruit marshmallow cake and marshmallow brownies on the menu.

Stout marshmallow brownie or yellow submarine marshmallow cake (back) with a latte for teatime set

The 350 square feet outlet has a transparent glass kithcen where people can see how Wah makes marshmallows. Huey said it feels like an aquarium at times!

“Everyone has a dream to own their own cafe and we decided to try and see if it would work,” said Huey.  

Since starting their marshmallow adventure, their recycled billboard banner business has been put on hold. But you can still find some of the products at the Huey&Wah cafe.

Flour is applied so the marshmallows do not stick to each other

“I’m very particular about ingredients while Wah is more particular about taste,” said Huey. “But both of us do not have any experience in F&B actually. I did fine arts and mass communications while Wah studied computer science.”

They both met years ago as colleagues in a computer company. Huey explains that the brand they created reflects the character of the couple.

“We are very practical people and we like simplicity. That’s why even our packaging is nothing overly elaborate,” said Huey.

For KL-lites, you can get Huey&Wah marshmallows at Ben’s Independent Grocer at Publika and Jason’s Food Hall at Bangsar Shopping Centre.

So how did the marshmallows end up at these grocers?

Huey&Wah cafe interior

“I just dropped them an email. I had no idea how grocers operate but I decided to try my luck. Of course, they had to try our products and give us feedback. So far it’s been good.

A friend of ours would check and replenish the stock once a week,” she said.

Currently, the business is managed by the couple and a part-timer in Penang. Wah makes the marshmallows while Huey and the part-timer does the cutting and packing.

“Wah does most of the baking because he is good at it. He’s from Kelantan and his family is very good at cooking and baking,” said Huey.

Various types of marshmallow flavours on display in the cafe

Are there any plans to open a cafe in Kuala Lumpur?

“We have limited manpower and it’s also because we want to make everything cost-effective.

I don’t want to overcommit just yet. The most important thing is to grow at a steady pace but I am definitely looking at opening a cafe in KL within the next year or so. That’s just a personal preference but there are no concrete plans yet.”

Currently, customers can order the marshmallows and cakes online. But some customers from KL are hoping to try the cakes when Huey&Wah opens a cafe here.

Production-wise, Huey&Wah makes up to five batches of marshmallows a day which is about 50 packs and jars. Towards Christmas, it will be increased up to nine to 10 batches.

Huey&Wah cafe outlet

Huey also shared about their upcoming end-year project. They will be visiting Stepping Stone, a centre for the mentally-disabled, to teach residents how to bake.

“We will teach them how to make cookies so they can be hired. Ideally, we would like to teach them how to make marshmallows too but it requires applying pressure accordingly and a gentle touch,” said Huey.

If all goes well, Huey said that they would get them to produce cookies at the centre and have them delivered to the cafe.

Huey admits that hiring is tough. She’s very lucky to have her part-timer who’s very hardworking and passionate.

“Our core values are quality ingredients and no artificial flavouring. We used to have eight flavours but now we’ve got seven. The price range is from RM11.90 to RM18.90,” she said. The flavours are vanilla, chocolate, lemon, passionfruit, rose, expresso and stout.

The orange ginger flavoured marshmallow is specially introduced for Christmas

For Christmas this year, they introduced orange ginger. There will also be a special hot cocoa marshmallow pack too.

Through setting up Huey&Wah, the couple learned many things along the way.

“A lot of people who came by when we first opened didn’t know what marshmallows were. Also, they didn’t know it could be made that way,” she revealed.

The cafe experience give the customers a chance to learn different ways to enjoy marshmallows. Huey said that local drinks like Milo, black coffee and tea go really well with Huey&Wah’s creations.

“The combination of drinks and marshmallows are very subjective. Some people are adventurous while some prefer it classic,” she said.

Huey&Wah Cafe 3A-G-31, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Penang Opens daily 11.30am to 10.30pm Tel: +604 8903962 Website: www.hueynwah.my

This story was first published in Crave in the print edition of The Malay Mail on December 12, 2013