‘The Journey of Love’ afternoon tea at Regent Hong Kong
To mark Valentine’s Day, a new expression of romance arrives at Regent Hong Kong in the form of The Blooming Swans, an artful afternoon tea stand created by Hong Kong copper artists Coxper in collaboration with executive pastry chef Andy Yeung and sous chef Chase Tse. From February 9 to 15, guests can experience The Journey of Love afternoon tea at The Lobby Lounge, where handcrafted sculpture and layered pastries come together in a thoughtful exploration of form, flavour and emotion.
More than a stand for pastries, The Blooming Swans functions as a sculptural centrepiece. Set against the cinematic backdrop of Victoria Harbour, the copper forms tell a quiet story of love—one that begins with care, deepens with patience and unfolds over time. Inspired by Coxper’s approach to merging natural forms with emotional narrative, the piece transforms afternoon tea into an immersive, visual experience.
Shaped around the swan, a symbol of fidelity, grace and lasting partnership, the structure lifts three tiers in gentle arcs, echoing the curve of swan necks. Each tier represents a stage of love, from anticipation through growth to fulfilment, expressed through leaf and feather motifs grounded in cultural symbolism. At the centre sits a small stamen-like detail, a subtle nod to love evolving into family and legacy.
Finished in natural patina tones of rose, amber and gold, the hand-worked copper celebrates texture, imperfection and craft. The interplay of brass and copper reflects a belief shared by both artist and chef: that beauty, like love, gains depth and character with time.
(Photo: courtesy of Regent Hong Kong)
Coxper Valentine's Day afternoon tea (Photo: courtesy of Regent Hong Kong)
Created by real-life couple Nathan Wong and Hazel Lee of Coxper, The Blooming Swans is as personal as it is sculptural. Shaped by years of working and building a life together, the piece reflects their shared belief that love is a practice, one defined by patience, mutual growth and quiet devotion. Those values are expressed in every curve and surface of the copper form, where texture and proportion carry emotional weight.
That same sense of intention carries through the collaboration with executive pastry chef Andy Yeung and pastry sous chef Chase Tse at Regent Hong Kong. Together, the artists and chefs work in different mediums but speak a shared language: detail as expression, form as feeling, and craft as a way to connect. Copper shaped by flame and pastry refined by hand meet in a dialogue that is precise, emotional and quietly assured, transforming raw materials into something poetic and tactile.
The pastries themselves reflect this shared philosophy. Rooted in the French mignardise tradition, each piece is built with restraint and clarity, designed to be admired as much as it is eaten. Whether enjoyed as part of The Journey of Love afternoon tea or presented as a Valentine’s gift, the sweets echo the sculptural narrative—luxury expressed through balance, care and intention rather than display.
At the heart of the experience is Yeung’s mastery of layering, where flavour, texture and structure unfold gradually. A vanilla flower dessert captures the earliest stage of love through soft mousse, warm caramel and gentle contrasts. A rose-led creation follows, more expressive and lifted, its interplay of mousse, fruit and nut suggesting growth and momentum. The final expression, built around hibiscus and pear, is calm and resolved, defined by clarity and restraint, a reflection of love that has matured into confidence and ease. Beyond the plate, The Blooming Swans also speaks to longevity. Designed for renewal, each copper element can be reused or reimagined, allowing the form to evolve with the seasons.