In April this year, Amande joined us for the first time at Carlton Farmers Market, bringing their delightful tarts, cakes and other bakes along. This week we caught up with Amanda (of Amande) to hear more about their time at Farmers Market, their recent holidays and what inspires Amande.
Meet Amande: A Micro Bakery by Amanda Lowrensa
Amanda is an ex-pastry chef of Osteria Ilaria and Supernormal. She found her passion for baking after she arrived in Melbourne from Indonesia.
“I remember when I first arrived in Melbourne, there were many great patisseries and bakeries in Melbourne like Zumbo, Burch and Purchese, and Tivoli Road Bakery, and they happened to be in my neighborhood.” Amanda said.
One thing in common about all these establishments is that they were the best in the market (Zumbo and Burch and Purchese are now closed, and Tivoli Rd Bakery, which is under new ownership). Although I was doing a business course at that time, these patisseries and bakeries drew me to the idea of pursuing a career as a pastry chef.
Without hesitation, I immediately enrolled myself in a pastry school, Le Cordon Bleu and to be honest I wasn’t the brightest in the classroom (or kitchen). Fast forward to the end of the course, we had the opportunity to do an internship at your chosen restaurant or bakery. “Through the test of time and repeating the tasks all over again each day, I enhanced my skill and the drive to have my own thing.” Amanda said. 
What inspired you to start Amande?
Simply because I struggled to find really good cakes in my area. I live in the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne, and I used to go to Beatrix a lot but they’ve since closed their doors. I saw a gap in the market for cakes made with local produce and seasonal fruits. And so I created Amande bakery, with a heart to give people a taste of freshly made cakes with rotating flavors according to what fruits and vegetables are in season.
What drew you to becoming a stallholder with Melbourne Farmers Market?
I have never been to the farmers market until I started noticing that a place I used to work at, Osteria Ilaria, they sourced all the fruits and vegetables from small producers across Victoria like Mushroom Anonymous, Days Walk Farm, Remi’s Patch, and Ramarro Farm.
Since then, I’ve been going to the Farmers Market every Saturday before I start work. I love supporting local farms and small batch producers because I understand the labour they put in and how they value bringing the best seasonal produce to the market.
I decided to trade at farmers market because I think it’s a good starting point for small business, our values align with the vision of Melbourne Farmers Market, and there was an opening at Carlton Farmers Market, so I thought, why not try it!
Film from one of Amande first Carlton Famers Market
Where do you get ideas for your flavour pairing?
I have had other people ask me the same question - where do I get the inspiration from creating unique flavour pairing like kumquat and white sesame, wattleseed and winter citrus, pecan and miso apple, kaya and rhubarb and so on. I read cookbooks from some of the best restaurants in the world like Relae, Noma, Ikoyi and it’s taught me new methods of cooking and baking, which I’ve conceptualised into my own cakes.
Some of Amande flavour pairings - Chestnut, chocolate cremeux & sultana soaked in amaretto spronge roll and Wattleseed & winter citrus vanilla slice
We've been missing you at the market, what have you been up to the last few weeks?
I have been away for 2 weeks for a short break to Indonesia and Seoul with my family. It was so good to have time off, we ate a lot of bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert with fruits or Injeolmi and Black Sesame) and so much good food! There are so many bakeries too in Seoul that we visited, and my favorite is the salt bread from Jayeon do. They serve warm salt bread like every second so you must visit them if you travel to Korea! 
From Amande's holiday album: Bingsu -Korean shaved ice dessert with fruits
From Amande's holiday album: Salt Bread from Jayeon Do
Now you’re back from Holidays, what is in store for Amande for the rest of the year?
We just want you to have really good cake. That every time you crave cakes, you will think of Amande. Every 1st Saturday you can find us at Carlton Farmers Market from 8 –1pm (it can be good to get in early as we can sell out!)
We’re also at Abbotsford Market (2nd week) and Bayside Market (4th week) until the end of the year, and occasionally we do cake box pick up on Saturday and Sunday at our North Melbourne kitchen when we aren’t at the market. We post all the information on where we are going to be and what’s on offer on Instagram, so follow us if you are keen on trying our bakes! (@Amande_Melb)
Any last things to share?
Yes! I'd to thank you so much for all your support, from fellow friends, chefs, market organisers, Audrey from Broadsheet (who's helped me with spreading the cake news hehe) I love you all! 
Bakes from Amande's first ever Carlton Farmers Market in the sunshine