Frankie Unsworth checks out the annual Paris des Chefs showcase at Maison & Objet, which brings together chefs and designers in a series of unique collaborations.
February 2nd, 2012
What do the Campana brothers, a roe deer carcass and El Bulli’s former chef Albert Adria all have in common?
On Sunday 22 January, they all took to the stage at the 4th annual Paris des Chefs conference to perform as “live creative duos” in a 40-minute time slot.
Held in conjunction with Maison & Objet, despite distancing itself from Villepinte for the first time since it launched, the event kept firmly to its founding mission to open up the discussion on food and design.
Alex Atala, renowned rock star chef of Sao Paolo’s DOM and the quirky furniture designers Humberto and Fernando Campana opened the show demonstrating their improvised moulding skills on a traditional Brazilian coconut milk caramel.
Albert Adria, former El Bulli pastry chef known for the theatricality of his culinary style, took to the stage with Spanish designers Luesma Maymo and Vega Ortega to explain the fundamental role that crockery design plays in the eating experience.
“My artist is a butcher” was Swedish chef Bjorn Frantzen’s explanation for the hanging roe deer which joined him on stage, along with his butcher, who gracefully sculpted the beast into various parts from nose to tail while Frantzen cool smoked a tartare straight from the thigh meat.
But it was the new generation of chefs who stole the show. Blaine Wetzel, a 25 year old Noma alumnus and head chef of Willows Inn, teamed up with native American performing artist Gene Tagaban to deliver a tribute to their home, an isolated archipelago near Seattle. Wetzel plated one of his signature dishes, based around the local speciality ’Geoduck’, a giant clam look-alike, with enviable poise.
Paris’ creative culinary scene was well-represented by former graphic designer and current head chef of Septime, Bertrand Grebaut. His plating style, essentially a “game of textures and colours” constructed from one focal point and colour on the plate – in this case a humble pumpkin puree – showed how captivating the collaboration between food and design can really be.
Paris des Chefs
parisdeschefs.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Sydney’s 12th Vivid is underway. With light shows, musical prodigies, and expert-packed panels, we’ve pulled out 10 events from a pool of hundreds. Our pick of what not to miss!
Sydney designer launches concept store for Australian design
Designed and manufactured in Europe for the past 30 years, the Maxitek™ static and mobile shelving range offers a level of quality and design ingenuity never before seen in the Australian mobile shelving and storage market guaranteeing preservation of valuable literature. Bosco manufacture Maxitek™ shelving locally to specific project requirements offering users excellent flexibility and […]
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Lacquered in warm timber tones and complemented by high-quality furniture and fixtures, the new HQ for Salta Properties is a home away from home.
Drawing on the concept of a watering hole as a gathering place in nature, GroupGSA has rejuvenated Sydney Water’s headquarters located in Parramatta.