Catwalk gives way to cake walk for model Amanda as she strides into her new life as a pastry chef

Pastry lovers are in for a treat, now that renowned model-actress Amanda Strang has donned her chef's hat. Fondly known as Amanda S, Strang opened her patisserie at the IFC Mall yesterday. Called Petite Amanda, the French bakery is offering customers the delights of authentic cakes, tarts, croissants and cookies, as well as coffee.

With a diploma in pastry making and six years of hands-on experience, Strang said that baking had always been her true passion. 'I have always loved baking ... I have had hard times and good times while I've worked in different places, like Paris and Hong Kong. There was one place in Paris where I had a really mean chef, so it was really tough, but even after having a hard day at work; I always went home with a smile. That's when I knew cooking was my passion.'

Strang is so keen to focus on her bakery that she has put her modelling career on hold. Anyone wanting a tip on what to try in her bakery should keep in mind that plaisir sucre and charlotte aux poires are among her favourite cakes.

Among those supporting Strang at the opening was fiance Christian Cappelli, who hugged and kissed her as cameras clicked. The couple will marry next month.