Aug 15, 2011
The name really says it all: Pantry Magic. Yes, this shop is a treasure trove for all manner of kitchen toys. You know, the kind you see Nigella Lawson play with on her shows? Or what the contestants in Masterchef Australia use.
And now Pantry Magic, a regional chain of specialty cookshops, is here in Malaysia. The shop at Jalan Telawi Tiga in Bangsar has everything from that KitchenAid mixer in light pink you've been coveting to cute little spatulas in many colours. Owner Tania Pawanteh, 35, says since since opening up in July, the shop has racked up an impressive 150 transactions a day!
She says this doesn't surprise her: "People in KL have an appreciation for things that are well-made but reasonably priced." Of those who have come to the shop are fans of Pantry Magic (there are shops in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Auckland, Jakarta, Bangkok, Bali and Shenzen!) as well as those who have not heard of the shop.
So what can you find here? An assortment of things really: the Stainless Steel Tri-Ply (consisting of saucepans, sauté pans, stock pot and frying pans ranging from RM271 to RM408) is a bestseller.
"Stainless steel is the most efficient and economical material for cookware -- it distributes heat very well and is also very durable and long-lasting," Tania says, adding that Pantry Magic also sells copper tri-ply and cast iron cookware.
The roasting pans (from RM271 to RM390) also sell very well: they are non-stick and come in three sizes (large, medium and small). The range and colours of silicone bakeware here will turn your kitchen (and you!) cheery.
Also check out the range of cooking utensils under the brand Progressive which has everything from salad spinners (three kinds, including two which are collapsible so they are space saving) which range in prices from RM86 to RM135) to burger presses (RM 34). The bestselling item from this brand is the Herb Keeper (RM68) so your herbs last longer.
If you're looking for other functional items in charming colours, check out the mixers by KitchenAid (which is the topselling brand in the US when it comes to mixers). They retail at (RM2,799) and come in many colours. The 90th anniversary limited edition in candy apple red -- sold for RM3,399 -- is available here.
Aside from these items, there are also many smaller -- yet practical -- ones. Such as the cheese cloth (RM40 for six pieces) which if you're making your own cheese, Tania explains, is used to drain the whey. The cloth is multi-purpose: Middle Eastern customers buy them to cook rice dishes.
And some stuff are just too cute to resist: butter spreaders with cheese and tomato handles (RM15) to mini spatulas (RM11) in various colours such as cherry red to lilac to pink (the bestselling one is you guessed it, pink!)
So how did Pantry Magic arrive in Malaysia? Tania had visited the Pantry Magic shops in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bali and loved them. "The shops had a really good atmosphere," she says.
So she discussed bringing the store to Malaysia with the owners of Pantry Magic Hong Kong -- "they felt KL was a good market to have a shop in" -- and set up a shop here.
"Bangsar has a very good feel to it ... [a] very good energy, " Tania says, explaining the location choice. Not to mention, it has an upper middle-class crowd who watch food shows on telly!
Tania, who studied under cake expert Peggy Porschen and who describes herself as an "enthusiastic cook", says this shop allows her to share her knowledge of food with people.
"I really enjoy dis
cussing food and cooking in general with people," she adds. Tania had a part-time cake decorating business which she took a hiatus from to focus on Pantry Magic and owns the shop with her sister Farah, 34, and friend Eisya Ishak, 28.
But back to the shop itself: If you're looking to up your cooking and baking skills, watch out for cooking demos which will be held at the shop soon. Tania has proposed the idea to chefs and bakers from restaurants around Bangsar and they've expressed an interest in participating.
Each session will be limited to just 10 people. "We're hoping to start it in September after Raya," Tania says.
Pantry Magic is at 49, Jalan Telawi Tiga, Bangsar Baru. It's open every day from 10am-9pm. Tel: 03- 2201 1578.
