Sarah Barber, Head Pastry Chef at Corinthia Hotel London, is launching her first book ‘Patisserie Perfection’ this month and in celebration is serving up a once-in-a-lifetime Book Launch Afternoon Tea at the Corinthia.
Featuring her favourite treats from within the book, the afternoon tea will be available from 21st September to Sunday 4th October – but for only two weeks.
H&C News was lucky enough to experience and enjoy the tea – and recommends that you move quickly to book before time and spaces run out!
Sarah’s favourites
Served in the luxurious surrounding of The Lobby Lounge, guests will have the chance to sample and savour the treats made by Sarah herself. The book, which has been a year in the making, is a celebration of Sarah’s personal style and expertise, which she has developed during her 18 years’ experience as a pastry chef.
A selection of Sarah’s favourites has been chosen from key chapters in the book, including ‘Chocolate Bars’, ‘Petit Gateaux’, and ‘Entremets’. Recipes are fun and playful, encouraging budding pastry chefs young and old to practice their ‘bake off’ skills at home.
Tasting is believing
It’s often said that ‘seeing is believing’, and this special ‘Book Launch Afternoon Tea’is certainly a feast for the eyes (as is the book). But,it is also and very definitely a case of ‘tasting is believing’ – a feast for the taste buds.
As you might expect, some of the cakes and ‘fancies’ listed below are ‘rich’ in flavour, with delicious but strong chocolates and caramels predominating. However, we were constantly surprised and delighted by other flavours bursting through to add intensive new tastes – from orange to pineapple, coconut to peanut, ginger to peppermint, blackcurrant to violet, and more.
Particular favourites on the day:
- Peanut Caramel Aztec: the intensity and sheer pleasure of the salted caramel combined with Peanut Mousse made this a mouthful to relish!
- Jaffa Cake: we’re all familiar with the rather ‘tired’ packets of Jaffa Cakes available from the local supermarket. Well, forget that – this bears no resemblance whatsoever and has to be tried so that you can understand just how good ‘Jaffa Cake’ can be.
- Chocolate Passion Ginger Gateaux: the Fluid (Ginger) Gel in this has to be tasted to be believed!
- Oreo Peppermint Bar (pictured below) – we’re not a fan of the Oreo bar as originated in the US, but just experience the peppermint in this…
The special ‘Book Launch Afternoon Tea’ consists of:
JAFFA CAKE – Mandarin Jam and Orange Ganache
TROPICAL EXPLOSION – Coconut Passion Fruit Brûlée, Aerated Pineapple Jelly, and Mango Mousse
WOODLAND FOREST – Chocolate Sacher, Blackcurrant and Violet Flavours, and Lemon Thyme Mousseline
PEANUT CARAMEL AZTEC – Salted Caramel, Feuilletine, Milk Chocolate, and Peanut Mousse
BOUNTY BAR – Coconut Sponge, Milk Jam, and Tanariva Toasted Ganache
OREO PEPPERMINT BAR – Guanjai Ganache and Chocolate Sable Breton
CHOCOLATE PASSION GINGER GATEAUX – Olive Oil Biscuit, Fluid Gel, and Crystallised Grue
STRAWBERRY YOGHURT MERINGUE TART – Yoghurt Crispy Cremeux, and Lemon Confit
The Book Launch Afternoon Tea
Is served in The Lobby Lounge at Corinthia London from 21st September to Sunday 4th October and is priced from £60.
For more information click here
Sarah Barber launches ‘Patisserie Perfection’
Sarah Barber, Head Pastry Chef for Corinthia London hotel has launched a new book that unravels the mystery of pastry and reveals the secrets behind its artistry.
Sarah Barber’s often playful, fanciful and contemporary style has been honed over an 18 year training period that has seen her hold Head Pastry Chef roles at Yauatcha, Dinner by Heston Blummental and ME London.
With ‘Patisserie Perfection’ Barber shares her recipes for some of her most fantastical desserts, chocolates (made with Valrhona chocolate) and plated chilled desserts. The 200 strong recipe list ranges from pralines and petits gateaux to deconstructed desserts.
Patisserie Perfection is published and sold by Chef Media, priced £50.
For more information about Chef Media click here