These are the works of chef Duncan Shi a Grand Hyatt trained chef from China, who made Launceston his home nine years ago. 

H2O Cafe, has been open in Launceston for almost a month and is already creating a buzz in the food industry. 

Husband and wife team Duncan and Candice wanted to bring their unique spin of cafe culture to Launceston. 

Blending Duncan’s experience and passion for desserts, with fusion food and Tasmanian coffee. 

“I started as a pastry chef at the Grand Hyatt in 2000, and I had no idea how to create or bake cakes,” Duncan said.

“I received fantastic training from different chefs from across the world, every month we would have new chefs visit, and I was constantly learning new skills.

“In China, the desserts are very simple, and I thought I could create something different using all these new skills that I had learned.”

The cakes are a feast for your eyes, with intricate designs including, bows, swans, rabbits and even a tiramisu in a flower pot, hours and sometimes days of work goes into each cake to make sure they are perfect. 

“Creating the ideas behind the cakes takes a long time,” Duncan said. 

“I wanted people to be able to taste the flavours and not just a sweet sugar taste.

“Most of the desserts take three days, sometimes four depending on the flavour combinations used.”

To compliment the cakes, Duncan and Candice sought out locally roasted coffee beans settling on a rich, dark coffee to balance out the sweetness of the cakes.

“Supporting local producers is very important to us,” Candice said. 

“Everything we use comes from Tasmania.”

 H2O has also become popular for their fusion food offerings, with an all day menu until 8:30pm, seven days a week. 

“It is important for us that our food is creative,” Candice said. 

“Duncan uses Chinese ingredients and methods when cooking, but we wanted the food to be familiar to our customers, so we have created a fusion menu.”

The menu is available for both dine in and takeaway. 

Already looking to the future, Duncan and Candice have started to plan speciality nights that will range from French to Asian style dishes. 

The speciality dinner nights will be a chance for Duncan to showcase his high-end cooking style in an informal and affordable setting. 

H2O Cafe is now open at 19, 25 wellington street ,Launceston.

For more information see: h2ocafelaunceston.com.au.