A few years ago, the children of Neighborhood 11 in Ciyakang, Wanrong Township, often excitedly shared stories about a kind sister in the village who taught them how to bake bread for free—and they could even enjoy the bread fresh out of the oven. It was only later that they realized this baking studio was right in their village, housed in a simple single-story building.
At the entrance, there is a small vegetable garden, and right next to it is the Chun Bakery. The studio’s owner, Chun-An, named it “Chun” to emphasize the purity of food. Through handmade creations, she strives to minimize the use of chemical additives, allowing everyone to taste her passion for food and the land.
Sister Chun-An once ran a bakery in the city, but as she adjusted to meet market demands, she gradually lost sight of her original passion for cooking. This realization led her to move her workshop back to the village. Not only could she be closer to her mother and care for her, but more importantly, she could reconnect with the land and freely create the foods she truly loves.
In addition to offering baking classes in the village, Sister Chun-An actively participates in community activities. She used to regularly visit social welfare organizations to teach children cooking skills and has also supported various events within the village. Her mother, a kind-hearted elder in the community, has long served as a volunteer for the senior daycare program and is highly respected by everyone.
As her mother’s daughter, Sister Chun-An also hopes to give back to the village. She has taken responsibility for preparing meals for the senior daycare program under the Community Development Association and often fulfills catering orders for tribal events. These include birthday bread for the Community Development Association, tribal meetings, the village office, and the church. Chun-An takes pride in her work, bringing the delicious flavors of local ingredients to Ciyakang village.
Sister Chun-An often says, “To help others, you must first strengthen yourself.”
This statement gives us much to ponder. It reminds us that when working in the community, one must first learn to be self-sufficient in order to effectively assist others.
Below is a collection of photos showcasing the various delicious foods created by Sister Chun-An.
Today, Chun-An serves as both the Chairperson of the Tribal Community Development Association and the Director of the Simplified Water Supply Committee. With these multiple roles, her responsibilities in the village have grown significantly. She has also leveraged her baking expertise to develop the innovative “Taro Meets Bird’s Nest Fern” pastry, combining local ingredients like bird’s nest fern and taro, which has been warmly welcomed by everyone.
