The Lounge on the Park at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur has teamed up with world renowned chocolate brand Valrhona and Italian chocolatier Gianluca Fusto for an exquisite Chocolate Afternoon Tea from 7 September to 1 October.
Born in Milan, Italy, Fusto is one of the major figures of Italian patisserie and his passion for pastry has only developed after his first stint as a commis saucier and garde-manger at the Il Cortile restaurant in Paris, France from 1993 to 1994. He began his pastry journey when he returned to Italy and started making pastries at several pastry stores including the Gualtiero Marchesi’s Bistrot, La Scaletta, before moving on to Aimo and Nadia’s; a popular restaurant in Milan, where he pursued greater knowledge and developed his skills in fine pastry.
Fusto expresses his fondness for cocoa through his creations. Believing that “simplicity is not easy”, Fusto’s creations are often seen in geometrical and clean design, at the same time rich in structure and texture.
Pastries
Pur Bali – Sacher Sponge, Bali Ganache, Caramel Almond, Candied Cherry
Banana Choc! – Banana Bali Cake, Jivara Namelaka, Crunchy Pearls
Giulia – Buckwheat Sable, Dulcey Jelly, Apricot Mayo
Lucille – Orange Biscuit, Exotic Gel, Coconut Mousse, Passion Fruit Cream
Manjari – Cocoa Nib Cookie, Orange Compote, Manjari Light Cream
Amande – Almond Crunchy Biscuit, Almandys Cream, Raspberry, Gianduja
Orelys – Pecan Financier, Orelys Whip Ganache, Raspberry Compote, Liquorice Mousse
Finger Sandwiches
Chocolate brioche with pumpkin moutabel (V)
Spicy tuna tartar & coco nib on whole wheat toast
Pan de Sal with fresh goat cheese (V)
Chicken truffle mayonnaise Ciabatta
Chocolate Croissant with asparagus & smoked salmon
Coeur de Guanaja Crackers – Opalys Vanilla Cream, Caramelia Cream, Gianduja Spread
The Valrhona Chocolate Afternoon Tea is priced at RM148 nett per stand and RM198 nett
per stand inclusive of a mini bottle of Moët.
His signature pastries are available for that sweet indulgence at home; Dreams – a light chocolate Manjari mousse with compote of fresh oranges and cocoa nibs short crust pastry; Atzori – light chocolate Guanaja mousse with pecan nuts biscuits, supreme with tonka beans and passiofruit gel; LaBise – a cinnamon and lemon short crust pastry, with crisp hazelnut biscuit, mango jelly, and Dulcey chocolate. Priced at RM28 nett per piece.
