In the pastry world, there’s a name that evokes the magic of flavors, overflowing creativity and a perpetual quest for excellence: Pierre Hermé. More than simple desserts, his creations are true works of art to be savored with your eyes along with your taste buds, as his recently unveiled and latest collection for the festive season proves once again. For the occasion, the « King of Macarons », voted best pastry chef in the world in 2016, answered some of our questions.
How can you summarize Pierre Hermé’s pastries in one sentence?
A world of taste, sensations and pleasure.
What is your signature creation?
If I had to choose one, it would be Ispahan, which is really the house’s signature flavor (rose, lychee and raspberry).
Your must-have ingredient?
Chocolate, of course!
What is your favorite cake?
The one that I’ll create next. It will be my favorite right away… until the next one!
Your favorite dish?
I can’t decide. It’s between bouchée à la reine and blanquette de veau… I just love to eat!
What is the ideal cake, in your opinion?
It’s a cake that elicits emotions, gives pleasure and lets you discover an interesting architecture of taste, with crunchy, soft, creamy, cold, not so cold… Something has to happen both in your mouth and in your brain when you taste it.
And what if you weren’t a pastry chef?
Maybe I’d be an architect or a gardener… But I always wanted to be a pastry chef!
Your guilty pleasure?
Haribo Tagada strawberries are so terribly good.
What is luxury for you?
Having free time.
Tell us about your Christmas collection?
For the end-of-the-year, we’re getting ready to embark on a flavor journey that I’ve christened « Destinations ». This culinary adventure will take us to many different lands, from China to Italy, via Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and many other destinations. On this journey, we’ll rediscover familiar flavors like chocolate, lemon and chestnut, while exploring lesser-known tastes such as curry, squash and zaatar.
Photo credit: Stéphane de Bourgies
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