Amanda Yong (Tarte's by Amanda) - a passion for pastry

Summary of Amanda Yong (Tarte's by Amanda) - a passion for pastry

by A Deep in the Weeds Production

34m•October 9, 2025
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Summary — Amanda Yong (Tarts by Amanda) — "a passion for pastry"

Author/Host: A Deep in the Weeds Production
Episode host: Anthony Huckstep

Overview

This episode profiles Amanda Yong — Perth-based pastry chef and founder of Tarts by Amanda — and her community work. Amanda discusses her culinary journey (Singapore → Perth), the savory-focused pastry concept behind her cheese tarts and truffle cookies, and her leadership in community and mental-health initiatives: Project Women Inc and Healthy Mind Menu. The conversation covers how those projects started during COVID, the impact they’ve made, Amanda’s own experience with burnout, and practical mental-health awareness in hospitality.

Key points & main takeaways

  • Background
    • Amanda grew up in Singapore, returned to Perth, and built a career in pastry across multiple openings (7 in ~13 years).
    • Worked at major Perth venues including Rockpool and Wildflower; won Restaurant & Catering Industry 2021 Young Achiever of the Year.
  • Tarts by Amanda
    • Signature product: baked double-cooked cheese tarts in shortcrust pastry; savory-focused despite Amanda being a pastry chef.
    • Standout: truffle macadamia tart — WA truffles, caramelised salted macadamias.
    • Also known for truffle butter cookies (one of her earliest recipes).
  • Project Women Inc
    • Founded during COVID by three women as a way to help community charities through fundraising events (private dinners, pop-ups).
    • First event raised ~$10,000; to date they’ve run six events, raised over $120,000, served ~680 people and plated ~4,500 dishes for charity.
    • Beneficiaries have included Zonta House, gynecological research, children’s mental health, indigenous foster care, and dental reconstruction for survivors of domestic violence.
    • Next event (at time of recording) was on 11 October at Young George, North Fremantle, fundraising for yourtoolkit.com.
  • Healthy Mind Menu
    • Industry-led mental-health initiative prompted by the suicide of a chef; aims at prevention, awareness and practical tools for hospitality workers.
    • Activities include workshops, TAFE talks, exercise sessions (e.g., weekly boxing) and online resources to recognise red flags before burnout.
  • Personal mental-health experience
    • Amanda experienced severe burnout (unable to get out of bed for a week) and says involvement in community initiatives helped her recognise warning signs and adopt coping habits (pause, breathe, step away).
  • Community & teamwork
    • Amanda credits mentors and team environments (Rockpool for discipline; Wildflower for deep learning and teamwork) for her growth.
    • Emphasises the multiplier effect of bringing community and suppliers together for a cause.

Notable quotes / insights

  • "Things that you do, you don't know the huge impact you have made until you have really seen it and realised that, oh, that is something powerful."
  • "It's okay to really ask for help."
  • "I didn't even know I was burned out."
  • On her food identity: "I'm a pastry chef, but I'm not a sweet tooth."
  • On practical mental-health action: stop, take a deep breath, step outside and come back clearer.

Topics discussed

  • Amanda’s culinary path: Singapore childhood → move to Perth → career highlights (Rockpool, Wildflower)
  • How and why Tarts by Amanda was created (savory cheese-tarts, truffle products)
  • Origin, structure and outcomes of Project Women Inc (COVID-born fundraising collective)
  • Charities supported and fundraising metrics (>$120k raised, ~680 people served)
  • Healthy Mind Menu: origin, mission, activities and impact on hospitality mental health
  • Burnout, recovery and practical coping strategies
  • Importance of community, teamwork, mentorship and giving back

Action items & recommendations

For listeners who want to help or learn from Amanda’s work:

  • Support Project Women events or similar community fundraisers (attend, sponsor, donate).
  • Donate to or share yourtoolkit.com — an online resource for people seeking help with domestic violence/other crises.
  • For hospitality workers: explore Healthy Mind Menu resources and workshops; watch for red flags of burnout and use prevention tools (exercise, peer support, breathing/pauses).
  • If you appreciate Amanda’s work or products: look up Tarts by Amanda for orders or event inquiries (note: availability may vary when Amanda is traveling).
  • Employers/managers in hospitality: consider implementing prevention-focused mental-health training and practical check-ins (recognition of early signs, access to resources).

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