Who here has a sweet tooth? We sure do! It’s summertime, which means it’s the perfect time to go dessert-hunting. This week on the Style Blog, we’ll feature some of the ‘sweetest’ and most inventive dessert-makers of our time!
1. Adriano Zumbo
Adriano Zumbo: a well-known name in Australia. He is known as the ‘Sweet Assassin’ and was billed ‘Australia's answer to Willy Wonka’. With these titles, Zumbo does not disappoint! His famous creations include the V8 Vanilla Cake (V8 for eight different textured layers of vanilla), the Macaron Tower of Terror (top picture), the Croquembouche Tower (bottom left picture) and Zumbo’s Easter Egg (bottom right picture). His innovative designs not only landed him two Netflix shows - being the host of ‘Zumbo’s Just Desserts’ and guest judge in ‘Sugar Rush’, he is now an author of three books. His ingenious creations are genuinely jaw-dropping and worth checking out!
2. Dominique Ansel
French favourite Dominique Ansel needs no introduction: his fame and presence in the patissérie world has gone global, with bakeries in London, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles. Ansel was once the executive pastry chef of Daniel, a two-Michelin star French restaurant in New York City. He later went on to open the first Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York. Creativity knows no boundaries! Pictured here are Ansel’s creations: the cronut (middle), the Tokyo-exclusive lucky cat cream puff (bottom left) and a kiwi sorbet bar (bottom right). Ansel’s infamous ‘Cronut’ is a perfect blend of croissant and donut: named one of TIME Magazine’s “25 Best inventions of 2013”. His invention of the cronut in 2013 quickly became viral, earning him worldwide acclaim.
3. Lorraine Pascale
Next up we have Lorraine Pascale, an English model-turned-baker! She took a diploma cookery course at Leith's School of Food and Wine in 2005. She also studied Culinary Arts at Thames Valley University (now University of West London) and in March 2012, graduated with a first class degree. Beyond the glitz and glam of her modelling life, Pascale opened her very own upscale bakery in London, firmly establishing herself as a specialist cake-maker by partnering with Selfridges. Check out some of her delightful cake creations!
4. Cédric Grolet
France is probably the first place you will think of when it comes to gourmet desserts - the heart of France being Paris, the best in Paris is said to be uprising star Cédric Grolet. He is known for his ultra-realistic ‘fruit’ desserts and the Rubik’s Cube, based on traditional French desserts reimagined. In 2011, after training under Christophe Adam at Fauchon for six years, he joined the team at Parisian luxury hotel, Le Meurice. In 2013, he became the executive pastry chef at Le Meurice. Grolet is definitely an upcomer to look out for!
Even if you are not a sweet lover, these delicate cakes and pastries will at least be sweet to the eyes. If you happen to be a dessert fanatic like we are, definitely check out the creations by these ingenious chefs - they are mind-blowing!
