‘The Paris of the Middle East’ may be a title commonly associated with Lebanon — but now Qatar has the Eiffel Tower, thanks to one skilled pastry chef.
Four Seasons Hotel Doha Executive Pastry-Chef Laurent Allereau has created a model Eiffel Tower made entirely of chocolate.
The tower, made entirely from 6kg of 64% Dominican Republic dark chocolate Tainori Valrhona, was an obvious subject matter, said Allereau.
“I created this piece firstly because I am French and proud to bring and share my knowledge around the world to my team. Then also the tower is a reference to the city of love, which made it the ideal centerpiece for Valentine’s Day,” he explained.
Allereau said customer response to his masterpiece had been overwhelming.
“They keep asking how long it took to make it and how it is possible to create such thing,” he said. “My answer is simple: through passion for the job, years of experience and the willing and ability to face challenge.”
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Customers aren’t the only ones to have recognised Allereau’s chocolate talents: his skills recently won him the honour of representing the Middle East in the semi-final of premium chocolate brand Valrhona’s cooking competition for chefs around the world, set to take place in Cologne, Germany this year.
The French chef won his place in the semi-final by submitting a full recipe with pictures for an original dessert using Valrhona chocolate.
The final will take place at established gourmet show Madrid Fusion in January 2010.
Following his recent successes, Allereau is already planning his next — even more ambitious — chocolate project.
“I am planning to make perhaps the state mosque which still under construction in Doha, or the beautiful Islamic Museum which just open last December,” he revealed. “Something representing Qatar.”
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