This Valentine’s Day, the iconic silhouette of Victoria Harbour isn’t the only masterpiece at Regent Hong Kong. From February 9 to 15, The Lobby Lounge transforms into a gallery of sensory poetry with “The Journey of Love,” an afternoon tea experience that blurs the line between fine art and high gastronomy.
At the heart of this celebration is “The Blooming Swans,” a sculptural copper tea stand that challenges the traditional tiered platter. A collaboration between the artisanal copper studio COXPER and Regent’s pastry visionaries, Executive Pastry Chef Andy Yeung and Sous Chef Chase Tse.
Art Forged in Fire and Romance
The partnership is deeply personal. COXPER’s founders, Nathan Wong and Hazel Lee, are a real-life couple who channelled their own journey, from early dating to marriage, into the curves of the sculpture.
Crafted from brass and copper, the stand features rising arcs reminiscent of swan necks, symbols of lifelong fidelity. As guests move through the experience, they follow three distinctive stages of love:
The Bud (Anticipation): Represented by the lower tiers where love takes root.
The Bloom (Growth): Rising curves that mimic the grace of wings in motion.
The Full Flower (Fulfilment): The peak of the sculpture, where a central “stamen”, symbolising a baby swan, represents the maturity of love into family and legacy.
Edible Sculptures: The Menu
Chef Andy Yeung mirrors this sculptural precision through the French mignardise tradition, focusing on the complex art of layering. Each pastry is a “miniature masterpiece” designed to evoke a specific emotional milestone:
Vanilla Flower (The Bud): A quiet promise of sweetness featuring vanilla mousse and a hidden molten caramel heart that “awakens” upon tasting.
Hiniko Rose (Early Bloom): A vibrant interplay of rose-infused mousse and raspberry compote, topped with a fresh petal to capture the joyful pulse of a soaring romance.
Hibiscus Pear (Full Bloom): A sophisticated, poised dessert of poached pear and hibiscus-infused agar, reflecting the calm radiance of an enduring partnership.
A Sustainable Legacy
In a nod to modern luxury, the collaboration emphasises “responsible craftsmanship.” Unlike temporary holiday decor, each copper component of “The Blooming Swans” is designed to be reused, repurposed or reinvented. It is a testament to the idea that true beauty – much like true love – deepens with time and survives the changing seasons.
Whether you are an art aficionado or a culinary enthusiast, “The Journey of Love” offers a rare opportunity to taste a story. For those looking to take a piece of the magic home, the delicacies are also available in jeweller-style packaging, perfect for a Valentine’s gift that carries the weight of artisanal heart.
