I was at a meeting today and someone commented on my status in a TOP TEN list, to which I argued they were wrong.....then I was sent the link to look at...
In 2012 I had the honor of being named on of the Top 5 pastry chefs in the MIDDLE EAST, but I had never been aware that I was also listed in the Top 10 FOOD GURUS of the MIDDLE EAST...
(this was September 2012)
http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/pics-15013-caterer-awards-2012-5-perfect-pastry-chefs-named/
Winner Pastry Chef of the Year: Dragan Rucnov, Fairmont Bab al BahrMaree... JOB TITLE: Highly Commended: Aaron Maree, Executive Pastrychef, Abu Dhabi.
Had I known about this other honor, it would not have changed anything. But it is in fact nice to know simply from the fact that ARABIAN DREAMS the cookbook which came out in 2011 was self funded and was done so to re-ignite change in the way people think about Middle Eastern Desserts.
In conversations recently with several different parties about the direction of new and up coming projects, I am aware that ARABIAN DREAMS really did do it's job.
That people are starting to see the convergence of Modern French patisserie and the possibility of utilizing Middle Eastern ingredients and flavors into that. Or the fact we can look at a Baklava and transform it into a new dish with the same taste, texture, layers but in a format that our guests never thought possible. Thus giving longevity to the Middle Eastern flavors of old, to a new generation of food lovers, looking for something less traditional and more modern, complex and amazing in looks.
Arabian Dreams the cookbook remains my lives "Oeuvre" and the proudest of all 16 cookbooks that i have written over my 30 year career in pastry. If I do no others, I will be honored to be permanently linked with Arabian Dreams for it speaks from the heart and speaks "ME".
Being named in the MAY 2012 Top 10 Food Gurus in the MIDDLE EAST is an honor, even though it was MAY 2012 and I just found out about it today in February 2013 I am pleased and honored on behalf of Middle Eastern pastry to have been noted, for with a light shone toward me for such, it means that a torch has been held high for the world of pastry in this region and deservingly so.
France is renowned as all things sweet and confectionery like, but I truly believe that the world of tomorrow's desserts and pastries will truly emanate from the wealth of experience and the expertise that is coming out of the MIDDLE EAST at this time...I am constantly and fortunately involved with multiple projects being thought of, conceived and being formatted pre, during and post production and I am aware right now of some truly incredible outlets and concepts coming to all countries with the GCC, and that too makes me happy that the sweet world is evolving here endlessly. For amazing leaps forward in patisserie look no further than THE VICTORIAN (http://mashmoom.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-victorian-patisserie-and-chocolate.html)... Created under the work of Frank Haasnoot (Chocolate World Champion), the concepts have turned pastry again into a true work of art, along the lines started why such visionaries in our trade as Christophe Michalak, the desserts are almost too good to eat, literally. They are really that beautiful.
For me to be named in a list of Top Food Gurus, is one thing, I do not take things like that to hart and let it get the better of me, I never have, even after 20 years of writing and books. I love my trade and I love the process of production of the pastries and cakes, training the staff and making something new. Im in that process right now, of starting something new, and over coming blogs you will learn where and when that "SOMETHING NEW" will occur and live and breathe.
Accolades are nice, but in this case, I'm simply proud that to have been recognized, even a year ago, has brought light toward us all in the pastry professions, here, locally on my home soil of Bahrain or internationally in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia or Cairo....
I love the world of pastry and promise you all that the best is yet to come...I know, I'm building it as we speak....
In 2012 I had the honor of being named on of the Top 5 pastry chefs in the MIDDLE EAST, but I had never been aware that I was also listed in the Top 10 FOOD GURUS of the MIDDLE EAST...
(this was September 2012)
http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/pics-15013-caterer-awards-2012-5-perfect-pastry-chefs-named/
 CATERER AWARDS 2012: 5 perfect pastry chefs named |
(Aug 28, 2012)
Had I known about this other honor, it would not have changed anything. But it is in fact nice to know simply from the fact that ARABIAN DREAMS the cookbook which came out in 2011 was self funded and was done so to re-ignite change in the way people think about Middle Eastern Desserts.
In conversations recently with several different parties about the direction of new and up coming projects, I am aware that ARABIAN DREAMS really did do it's job.
That people are starting to see the convergence of Modern French patisserie and the possibility of utilizing Middle Eastern ingredients and flavors into that. Or the fact we can look at a Baklava and transform it into a new dish with the same taste, texture, layers but in a format that our guests never thought possible. Thus giving longevity to the Middle Eastern flavors of old, to a new generation of food lovers, looking for something less traditional and more modern, complex and amazing in looks.
Arabian Dreams the cookbook remains my lives "Oeuvre" and the proudest of all 16 cookbooks that i have written over my 30 year career in pastry. If I do no others, I will be honored to be permanently linked with Arabian Dreams for it speaks from the heart and speaks "ME".
Being named in the MAY 2012 Top 10 Food Gurus in the MIDDLE EAST is an honor, even though it was MAY 2012 and I just found out about it today in February 2013 I am pleased and honored on behalf of Middle Eastern pastry to have been noted, for with a light shone toward me for such, it means that a torch has been held high for the world of pastry in this region and deservingly so.
France is renowned as all things sweet and confectionery like, but I truly believe that the world of tomorrow's desserts and pastries will truly emanate from the wealth of experience and the expertise that is coming out of the MIDDLE EAST at this time...I am constantly and fortunately involved with multiple projects being thought of, conceived and being formatted pre, during and post production and I am aware right now of some truly incredible outlets and concepts coming to all countries with the GCC, and that too makes me happy that the sweet world is evolving here endlessly. For amazing leaps forward in patisserie look no further than THE VICTORIAN (http://mashmoom.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-victorian-patisserie-and-chocolate.html)... Created under the work of Frank Haasnoot (Chocolate World Champion), the concepts have turned pastry again into a true work of art, along the lines started why such visionaries in our trade as Christophe Michalak, the desserts are almost too good to eat, literally. They are really that beautiful.
For me to be named in a list of Top Food Gurus, is one thing, I do not take things like that to hart and let it get the better of me, I never have, even after 20 years of writing and books. I love my trade and I love the process of production of the pastries and cakes, training the staff and making something new. Im in that process right now, of starting something new, and over coming blogs you will learn where and when that "SOMETHING NEW" will occur and live and breathe.
Accolades are nice, but in this case, I'm simply proud that to have been recognized, even a year ago, has brought light toward us all in the pastry professions, here, locally on my home soil of Bahrain or internationally in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia or Cairo....
I love the world of pastry and promise you all that the best is yet to come...I know, I'm building it as we speak....
Top 10 F&B industry gurus in the
Middle East
10 Aaron Maree, Patissiere and author
Aaron Maree has
been waving the flag
for Middle East
patissieres for 25
years. Author of
book, Arabian
Deams, he has
worked tirelessly to
push Middle Eastern
pastry under the international spotlight.
He visits Europe often to stay on top of the latest trends, and greatly enjoyed his role as personal executive chef at a Middle East royal palace, before which he held posts including corporate pastry chef to international companies like Cadbury Schweppes and Mövenpick Marche.
10 Aaron Maree, Patissiere and author
Aaron Maree has
been waving the flag
for Middle East
patissieres for 25
years. Author of
book, Arabian
Deams, he has
worked tirelessly to
push Middle Eastern
pastry under the international spotlight.
He visits Europe often to stay on top of the latest trends, and greatly enjoyed his role as personal executive chef at a Middle East royal palace, before which he held posts including corporate pastry chef to international companies like Cadbury Schweppes and Mövenpick Marche.
Too see the full list of top Ten F & B GURUS in the MIDDLE EAST see the link http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/14279-top-10-fb-industry.
Musandam Dibba Interesting tour place for fun is
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