Wawoo was founded in 2022 from something simple and personal: the feeling of missing flavours from home.
After settling in Nottingham, Cristina began handcrafting mochi donuts inspired by the desserts, ingredients, and flavours she grew up loving. What started as a small creative outlet soon became a way of sharing comfort, memories, and culture through food.
The name Wawoo carries the heart of the brand. When Cristina’s children were younger, they could not quite say “love you” and would instead say “wawoo.” Over time, it became a family expression filled with warmth, affection, and home. Naming the shop Wawoo felt natural because that same feeling is behind everything we make.
From the beginning, Wawoo has been about more than donuts. It has always been about creating something joyful to share with others, whether through familiar Southeast Asian flavours like pandan and ube, East Asian favourites like matcha and black sesame, or new flavour combinations inspired by creativity and curiosity.
As the years went on, the love for experimenting in the kitchen continued to grow. After exploring the chewy texture of mochi donuts, another craving appeared: the perfect cookie. Crisp around the edges, soft in the centre, rich, warm, and comforting straight from the oven.
That idea became Tonton Cookies.
The name Tonton also holds a special meaning. Tonton was Cristina’s great-grandfather, someone she remembers with deep love and admiration. He loved gardening, flowers, and the quiet beauty of caring for things patiently. Naming the cookie brand after him felt like a way of keeping a part of him close, woven into something made to bring comfort and happiness to others.
Tonton was created as an extension of the Wawoo family, carrying the same love for flavour, nostalgia, and handmade baking into every cookie. Alongside Asian-inspired creations, we continue to explore classic flavours, seasonal specials, and limited-edition bakes made for sharing with friends, family, or simply yourself after a long day.
Today, Wawoo and Tonton continue to grow together, both in-store and online. What began as a small feeling of homesickness has slowly turned into a space filled with comfort, creativity, and community, one donut and cookie at a time.