Many months ago I wrote about the ensuing progress of a the newest project in a 32 year cooking career. It was off and running and I was excited. I still am excited, but construction crews and designers have caused a few delays along the way and it is safe to say that while the kitchen nears completion, it is true to suggest we have not even poured our foundation yet for the bigger entity which will house us, you and the hundreds of visitors that we welcome when we are open. So time is one our side and not much more than cooking will occur in a testing phase until mid 2014.
Most of you come to this site for food though not updates on construction so I thought for a change I'd give you glimpses of my recent trip to Dubai. Food is what you come here for and food is what I went there for, so let me share.... While it was a business trip to buy plates, glasses, and cutlery, the overriding desire was to test the market and see what else DUBAI has to offer. I have been there before, many times actually since my first trip there in 1987 when we were shown off the plane at 4am in the morning surrounded by machine gun carrying guards and we were the only plane on the tarmac...how things have changed since then.
Dubai today is the new playground for the "nouveau riche". basically if you can afford it, you can do anything and everything in Dubai. And many people do.
From a foodies perspective it is an amazing place because every brand on the planet is trying to open there. Angelina Café, Eric Kayser Boulangerie, Laduree, Fauchon, Magnolia bakery, Hummingbird bakery, they are all their with their glitzy stores and well taught staff who feed the magnificence like well oiled salespeople do.
Enjoy the following pics from DUBAI and let me thank you all for coming here and viewing the BLOG. Its been going for some time and we are now closing in rapidly on 20,000 views and I'm happy for that. I don't aim to change the world, I'm not good enough for that, but I want you to see the world of pastry through my eyes for a quick glimpse at what a proud young Tasmanian has been able to see, achieve and who he has been able to meet and what he has been able to eat over 32 magnificent years in the industry. I am continually amazed at who and from where view the blog. France, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, USA, UAE, UK, Indonesia, India are somewhat of a given considering the staff and people I have worked with over the years, but to see my site is viewed from hundreds of people from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, China, South Africa, Canada, Russia and Nepal, truly amazes me and makes me glad that I started this so long ago. I promise from now on less on the construction updates and more on the amazing food of the middle east, even if it is the food we make ourselves.
Thank you to everyone who visits the pages and Ill promise to inspire you in the world of all things sweet more often in the future.
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| EVEN the simplest sweets look sensational in DUBAI, a place they understand food and the luxuriousness of it. A bit like a new Paris for the 'nouveaux Riche' of the new generation who spend there life eating |
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| CAFE BATEEL is predominatly about dates and they have added the luxurious side of International desserts so well to their range and concept..I came away thankful for having found this Patisserie |
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| BAKER AND SPICE is my new favorite of all cafes. Lush gorgeous healthy salads which inspire from their vision, bright colourful plates of decadence, along with fresh breads and fresh juices...what's not to love and this amazing café sits on the edge of BURJ DUBAI LAKE from where you can watch the water show...Stunning views and fantastic food. |
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| LA SERRE, a new café which was informed to me along with LE FORNILLE DE PIERRE. Two amazing new and vibrant establishments transforming the culture of DUBAIs eateries. |
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| Le FOURNILL DE PIERRE is like PAUL but on steroids. Its lush, its indoors and its extravagance. They boast over 300 varieties of bread. I tried 2 and was in love with their sourdough rye with walnuts. OMG |
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| LADUREE - French magnificence and perfection at its best. I borrowed money from the bank to buy just 8 Macaron- at 160 AED or $US 40 for 8 bites of sugar.How can they get away with it, well flavors such as marshmallow and gingerbread had me looking for more money... |
I've been wanting to do a roundup of Dubai's patisseries for quite sometime - the way I have it figured, if I write one mega-post covering absolutely everything, I won't have to bother writing anymore - I can be so lazy (sometimes ;-). I love that a pastry chef is going to the trouble of sharing his views on the local pastry scene. And the fact that this it's coming from someone that knows his stuff is quite a refreshing change from some of the more common yum-yum-look-how-nice-this-is type commentary...It's interesting to see home-grown concepts like Bateel try to compete with the big boys from Paris and the quality is pretty decent. And you're right about Dubai being an exciting place for this sector at the moment. The spending power here means that all the big names want a piece of the pie...and (I think) that both Cafe Angelina and La Maison du Chocolat shall be open in The Dubai Mall before the end of this year...I look forward to your future posts.
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