Hyo Ju Park and Rong Yao Soh, the creative duo behind the Melbourne-based Madeleine de Proust Patisserie, shared their baking expertise. Having honed their skills in Michelin-starred restaurants, they opened their patisserie in 2023, creating delicate French cakes. Their new book, 'Madeleines: Simple Bakes for Every Mood,' offers accessible recipes and advanced techniques for home bakers. Soh emphasizes the importance of consistent results through precise ingredient weighing, a crucial first step. Park highlights the impact of variables like egg size, which can change based on the weather, and suggests weighing everything for consistency. Salt is another key ingredient, according to Park, as it enhances flavors and balances sweetness, likening it to MSG in pastry. They recommend starting with a pinch and tasting. Soh and Park also stress the need to preheat ovens properly, using an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy. They also advise against overmixing, suggesting specific mixing times. Finally, preparing ingredients in advance is key to organized and stress-free baking. They also encourage home bakers not to be afraid of the sugar and butter in recipes, as each ingredient plays a vital role in texture, shelf life, and flavor.