Modern Sweets at Masa’s in San Francisco

A sophisticated chocolate tart at Masa's. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)

Hong Kong-born and San Francisco-raised, Maggie Leung is turning out irresistible modern interpretations of classic desserts at the elegant Masa’s in San Francisco, a short stroll from the Campton Place Taj Hotel.

Leung, who became executive pastry chef there this summer, has given sophisticated spins to a chocolate walnut tart, made dainty and memorable with a fleur de sel flourish and a scoop of Earl Grey ice cream; strawberry pain perdu with a distinctive rose-geranium creme anglaise; and s’mores with housemade graham cracker ice cream, hot fudge, toasted marshmallows, candied hazelnuts and hazelnut powder between two chocolate cookies.

After studying molecular biology in college, she turned to the science of baking, enrolling at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. After earning a degree in pastry art, she went on to work at Masse’s Pastries in Berkeley, where she focused on elaborate French pastries and intricate wedding cake designs.

Afterward, she joined the staff of Americano in San Francisco, before becoming executive pastry chef at the Lark Creek Inn in Larkspur (now the Tavern at Lark Creek), where her lemon-blueberry cheesecake parfait was featured in a story in Food & Wine magazine.

Maggie Leong's version of s'mores. (Photo courtesy of Masa's)

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Date: Friday, 24. September 2010 5:28
Trackback: Trackback-URL Category: Chefs, Chocolate, General, Restaurants

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23 comments

  1. Rosa
    Friday, 24. September 2010 6:33
    1

    Wow, beautiful creations! I’d love to taste such desserts…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  2. vanillasugar
    Friday, 24. September 2010 6:52
    2

    you know i so enjoy places just like this one. the dessert plates are like a work of art. i just love to photograph these dishes. wonderful, always LOVE when you do posts like this.

  3. Tami
    Friday, 24. September 2010 7:35
    3

    always great to see another female pastry chef in the kitchen – need to go back to Masa and check it out…

  4. Jun Belen
    Friday, 24. September 2010 7:44
    4

    Lovely, lovely desserts. Thank you for keeping us up-to-date on all these must-go-to places.

  5. Joy
    Friday, 24. September 2010 13:03
    5

    this is the most beautiful dessert. What a creative and modern way to remake the smore. Beautiful, now my mouth is watering!

  6. Alice
    Friday, 24. September 2010 14:27
    6

    Another great place that makes me want to try! It’s also amazing that thought her major is a common science major in most Asian families that her desire to go into the culinary path is so inspirational.

  7. Big Boys Oven
    Friday, 24. September 2010 16:19
    7

    awesome just having a look, i know i want to spoon in right away!

  8. marla {family fresh cooking}
    Friday, 24. September 2010 18:55
    8

    Wish I had the time to enjoy such beautiful dessert creations when I am in SF for BlogHer Food. I need to schedule a separate restaurant tour trip!

  9. Tweets that mention Food Gal » Blog Archiv » Modern Sweets at Masa’s in San Francisco -- Topsy.com
    Friday, 24. September 2010 20:17
    9

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CarolynJung, lori aratani and Alltop Food, Caterham Business. Caterham Business said: Modern Sweets at Masa’s in San Francisco http://bit.ly/95mGWs [...]

  10. Faith
    Saturday, 25. September 2010 3:25
    10

    Another wonderful chef feature! These elegant treats are not only beautiful but sound absolutely delicious. I love her take on s’mores!

  11. Joanne
    Saturday, 25. September 2010 3:31
    11

    Every time you post food that intrigues me from SF I make sure to pass it onto my ex-roommate who lives there. This is definitely making it into the queue! These treats are so elegant and intriguing!

  12. Tastes of Home (Jen)
    Saturday, 25. September 2010 6:52
    12

    These photos are just gorgeous – such elegant presentation and sounds delicious too! I have never tried Earl Grey ice cream yet though probably because I don’t quite fancy Earl Grey tea but maybe the ice cream version could win me over :)

  13. Andrea@WellnessNotes
    Sunday, 26. September 2010 5:22
    13

    What beautiful, sweet pieces of art! Hubby and I really have to make it a point go to SF more and explore the world a bit…

  14. Little Inbox
    Sunday, 26. September 2010 5:25
    14

    They look like a piece of art rather than dessert, hehe…

  15. 5 Star Foodie
    Sunday, 26. September 2010 15:21
    15

    These desserts look incredible!!!

  16. DJ Karma (VegSpinz)
    Sunday, 26. September 2010 17:04
    16

    This makes me crave chocolate so much! I love how elegant it looks.

  17. sophia
    Sunday, 26. September 2010 19:23
    17

    Oh, they’re exquisite!!

  18. tigerfish
    Monday, 27. September 2010 0:10
    18

    I think I need to learn how to be delicate enough to handle those intricacies. I am too rough!

  19. Spencer
    Monday, 27. September 2010 1:57
    19

    Wow, that looks great. I need to check that out.

  20. Dina
    Monday, 27. September 2010 19:03
    20

    wow that looks delicious! i’d love to try graham cracker ice cream.

  21. Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
    Monday, 27. September 2010 20:49
    21

    How delicious! I especially like the s’mores dessert. I bet the hazelnut is a great flavor not found in the traditional version.

  22. TasteHongKong
    Tuesday, 28. September 2010 0:19
    22

    How delicate are they!? Excuse me if I associate them with the fine dim sum here.

  23. OysterCulture
    Tuesday, 28. September 2010 5:06
    23

    Looks like a work of art, and I’d love to sample some of the treats she turns out. Congratulations to her on her promotion – it looks well deserved.

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