A Whisk of Fate: How It All Began
What do you get when you mix Michelin-starred skills with a whole lot of heart? You get TwoLeafBakes — a homegrown baking success story that started with a single tiramisu.
It wasn’t meant to be a business. Darren Yap, a 32-year-old pastry chef, whipped up a tiramisu for his wife, 30-year-old Heather Er. It was more of a love letter than a dessert — rich, thoughtful, full of flavour. But when she shared it with her colleagues and family, the reviews were unanimous: they wanted more.
You could say it was love at first bite.
Darren, who was a pastry chef at a three-star Michelin restaurant, had found a new kind of audience — regular people with an appetite for feel-good desserts. With every tub of tiramisu Heather brought to work, feedback trickled back home. And with every comment, Darren would tweak his recipes, improving textures, layering flavours, adding that extra something that made people say, “Wow.”
The Birth of a Brand
As orders started flowing in, so did the realisation, maybe there was something more to this hobby. “I always wanted to have my own business,” Darren admitted.
“This felt like the right moment,” he added. And so, right in the kitchen of their humble abode, the couple’s homegrown brand was born.
Before the bakes, there was a blog — or more accurately, an Instagram account called leafbakesncook. It was a digital diary where Heather documented all the food Darren made for her. But as interest grew, the couple knew they had to rebrand.
Thus, TwoLeafBakes came to life. The name “Leaf” draws inspiration from Darren’s Chinese last name, while “Two” symbolises their partnership.
Having a small but loyal following on Instagram made launching easier. “People already knew Darren could bake,” Heather said. But branding was where she shone.
She hand-drew the menu, styled and photographed each bake like it was art. Every reel, every story and every caption reflected their essence: cozy, humble, heartfelt.
Mixing Skills and Strengths
It’s the classic combination: Darren handles the baking, Heather manages the business. Together, they’re unstoppable.
Darren’s culinary training ensures that quality is never compromised — he’s a stickler for taste, texture, and presentation. Meanwhile, Heather brings her e-commerce background into play, streamlining operations and ensuring customers receive their orders seamlessly.
While Darren whisks batter, Heather captures moments. While one checks the oven, the other schedules content. It’s a beautiful rhythm of shared responsibilities. Almost as though the couple were slow dancing in the kitchen.
It’s not always glamorous, though. Balancing full-time jobs with a growing side hustle means sacrificing your time. This led to Heather editing videos during her travel time, and Darren baking past midnight after coming home from work. But they never complain, instead they put in double the effort and they make it work.
“That’s why I keep going, even when I’m tired,” Darren said, flashing a tired but proud smile.
The Drive Behind the Dough
It’s not about going viral or making millions. It’s about doing something they love.
They hope to continue growing the business and creating experiences where everyone who enjoys their treats feels like family. Connected by their comforting bakes, and that signature Two Leaf charm.
If you’re wondering who their biggest fan is, look no further than Heather’s brother. He’s their OG VIP. “He once finished a whole tub of tiramisu in one sitting,” Heather said with a laugh.
Their family has been their rock. Supporting them with bulk orders, spreading the word, giving brutally honest feedback, and always cheering them on.
Take their wedding cake, for example. Darren crafted a stunning four-tiered cake, a sweet symbol of their love and growth. Each bake has meaning. Each tub has a story. And that’s what makes TwoLeafBakes so special.
What’s Next for Two Leaf Bakes?
The dream is to keep growing without losing the heart. Darren and Heather are exploring small-scale expansion ideas — experimenting with more flavours, reaching a larger B2B clientele, and launching merchandise.
But one thing’s for sure, they want to keep things authentic, honest, and made with love.
