Ultimate Chocolate Cake

CHOC-NUT VALRHONA CAKE

Chelsea Market & Cafe, Bonifacio High Street, Philippines

Over the years as a Chef, people are always telling you of their favourite place to eat and the reason why I have to go and try it. I am no food critic I just like to eat well and have enjoyed the pleasure of eating some great food but very few are a true mastication of the ages that you would recommend to good friends. I have had the pleasure of eating some of the greatest meals in the World but usually from my own kitchen, I am not speaking out of arrogance just through working in amongst a great team and working where opportunity of Food culture and cuisine was on the top of our priorities, Our focus was on great food and us being the most critical of our own work. I am not talking molecular gastronomy of smoke and bubbles; I mean real food and satisfying the taste bud and hunger within.

Upon a recent food tour, with a great pastry Chef friend of mine in Makati, Philippines. It was recommender we go and eat one of the most delicious Chocolate cakes ever made on this planet. To me they are pretty big word from my Pastry Chef friend as I have had the ultimate pleasures of eating his creations for many a year and was always awe inspired by them. Something I would call a privilege more than anything else, so if he were going to produce a desert of wonder I would reciprocate with a Main meal to precede such a wonder.

Well… I must say eating this particular Chocolate cake was a very humbling experience in my life. I will say this. It is the greatest Chocolate cake I have ever had the pleasure of eating and I would like to thank Chelsea Market & Café in Bonifacio High Street for the pleasure (Choc-nut Valrohna Cake). To those who do not want to take my word for it, jump on a plane now. With the cost of a plane ticket and accommodation and the price of the cake, it is still worth it.. Yes it is far beyond nice, I cannot explain the texture of the chocolate goodness topped with gooey marshmallow but it is second to none at this stage of my eating career. I like the sound of that “my eating career” pleasures of cuisine.

Happiness

House Smoked Duck Breast, Sweet Potato, Arabic Truffles and Zereshk Puree and Spicy Coriander Oil

Everyone has a different definition of Happiness. One might think money brings happiness and the headaches that go with it, but most of us would like to give it an honest try at least. Others think it is sitting on a beach for a week in a tropical island, being served drinks in between a dip in the ocean, some would say a close family. And me, why not combine the lot and add cooking great food for who ever wants to enjoy the delicacies of the day… Seasonal produce served at its freshest, to awaiting palates ready to satisfy a burning hunger.

Is a hamburger just a hamburger? Or is it ground Black Angus beef with aged cheddar cheese, House smoked Bacon, homemade tomato relish, slow cooked caramelized red onions, seasoned vine ripened tomato and crisp little gem lettuce leaves. This is a chefs version of the cup being half full or was that half empty, was I filling the cup or drinking it???????

In the words of Edith Wharton

If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time. 

Chasing your own happiness is like a dog chasing the wheels of a car. Maybe other people do not understand why you do it, but it is your actions that change your own future..

Memories of a childhood meal far surpass nearly any other meal. When we all grow up the thought of a floating reformed tomato that explodes upon the first bit (molecular gastronomy) sound great, but really most of us just want a meal that triggers true happiness of memories that last a lifetime.

The key to happiness as I see it is in these words:

When I stand before God (or what ever you believe) at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'.

Erma Bombeck