Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack and Lan Cheng.
Jack and Lan both met in Atlanta and decided to pursue culinary school together at the Culinary Institute of America. Jack went in the culinary program, and Lan went with baking and pastry program. Jack got an opportunity to stage at Noma (in Copenhagen) after graduation. Lan was in Atlanta testing out different recipes and flavors; hence the name Mac Lab came about due to all the experiments. They decided to open a small, intimate bakery in Duluth GA. They focused on macarons and served coffee from local roasters. They both pride themselves on high quality ingredients and attention to detail.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest obstacle must be having our first born arrive 5 weeks after Mac Lab’s grand opening. The credit goes to the wonderful team we have at Mac Lab allowing my wife and I to have some time with our newborn at the time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We specialize in French macarons. We also use local coffee roasters to make amazing coffee as well. We pride ourselves in offering the best macarons in the world. It happens that macarons and coffee pairs wonderfully for the palate.
What were you like growing up?
My grandparents were in the food industry. My parents are in the food industry. It was natural for them to NOT want me to be in the food industry. “Study hard, get good grades, become a doctor, lawyer, or an engineer” is what they always told me. I studied hard, got good grades, went to college to get a dual bachelors degree and continued onto grad school. Six years of higher education and working for someone else many years later, I circled back around to go to school one…last…time. I discovered my passion in everything food related and decided to go to culinary school.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2131 Pleasant Hill Rd., #135, Duluth, GA 30096
- Website: www.maclabbakery.com
- Phone: 678-580-1985
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Mac_Lab
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mac-Lab-Bakery-Cafe-605944519535581/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mac-lab-duluth

Image Credit:
Lan Cheng, Mac Lab
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