Our Story
Touch of Salt began long before we found our space in Fitzrovia.
For over twenty years, Caroline Sze and Rico Tsui built professions in beauty, photography and creative workshops in Hong Kong. Their studios became places where people didn’t simply come for a service — they came to be inspired, celebrate milestones, experience new skills and build friendships.
In 2022, Caroline and Rico moved to London with their two children to begin a completely new chapter.
Like many families starting over in a new country, they experienced moments of excitement alongside moments of feeling lost. They were rebuilding careers, creating a new community and rediscovering who they are in a different city.
One thing remained constant.
Following Caroline’s life-changing health journey in 2019, they had learned to cherish life’s little moments. Small independent cafés became places of rest — a pause from busy family life, and from the challenges of rebuilding. These little cafés gradually introduced them to wonderful people who became part of their new life in London.
Those moments inspired something bigger.
A Crazy Idea
For years, Caroline dreamed of rebuilding a creative studio in London.
Rico had another idea.
“What if we put a coffee shop inside the studio?”
Caroline thought he was crazy.
After four years of debating the idea, she finally said yes.
The search for the right space took more than a year. There were countless frustrations and many moments when they almost gave up.
Then they found a hidden space in Fitzrovia.
It wasn’t just a studio. It wasn’t just a café.
It was exactly the kind of place they had imagined
Touch of Salt was born.
A place where creativity, conversations and community could naturally come together.
A Cup That Started It All
Rico had always missed one particular drink from Hong Kong…
An Espresso Tonic
One day, they met a Rocky and Susan, a talented coffee barista couple working at a neighbourhood café. Only later did they discover that Rocky and Susan were connected to one of Caroline’s former makeup styling apprentice.
One glass brought back years of memories, reminding them how something as simple as coffee can create belonging, comfort and connection.
That friendship would eventually become part of the Touch of Salt story, with Rocky and Susan joining the journey to help bring the vision to life.
For Rico, it wasn’t simply a coffee. It was a taste of home.
When Rico asked if an Espresso Tonic could be made, although it wasn’t on the menu, Rocky happily created one.
Meet the founders
Caroline Sze
With more than twenty years of experience as a bespoke makeup stylists and educator, Caroline is passionate about helping people discover confidence through beauty that feels authentic and healthy.
Following her own health journey, she became a strong advocate for clean, non-toxic beauty and now shares personalised, unbiased advice through workshops, consultations and bridal styling.
You’ll probably find Caroline chatting with customers over coffee, introducing new people to one another, or encouraging someone to pursue a dream they’ve been quietly carrying.
Rico Tsui
Rico is an internationally award-winning wedding photographer known for his photojournalism and heartfelt imagery.
Quiet, thoughtful and creative, he believes every person has a unique story worth preserving.
His vision for Touch of Salt has always been simple:
Create a place where people can share dreams and be inspired.