Thailand’s latest Le Tao cafe has officially opened at Central Plaza Lat Phrao, with celebrities cooking for charity at its launch event.

The Japanese cheesecake and bakery concept arrived in Thailand two years ago, courtesy of DB Group managing directors Dolnapa Tumwattana and Kwanchai Ongkamongkol.

Actors Varodom “Kimmon” Khemmonta and Suradet “Bas” Piniwat from Deun Kiaw Deun helped make pancakes at the store’s launch. A strawberry pancake by Kimmon and chocolate pancake by Bas were auctioned, raising THB50,000 (US$1570) for Siriraj Hospital.

From Otaru city on Hokkaido Island, Le Tao spread throughout Japan with its combination of the culture of Japanese dessert-making with Western baking. Pancakes take up to 15 minutes to bake, and are topped with maple syrup, chocolate or strawberry sauce plus fruit on request, and served with fresh cream and vanilla ice cream. The Le Tao Pancake offers a cheese flavour.

Other popular desserts include cheesecake, milk roll, cheese served in a cup, and cookies stuffed with cheese.

Le Tao also has branches at Siam Paragon, The EmQuartier and Central Bang Na in Bangkok.