The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong later this month at its Café 103 will introduce a vanilla-themed afternoon tea in partnership with luxury French brand Pierre Hermé Paris featuring pastries from Pierre Hermé’s Fetish Infiniment Vanille collection.
For one month only starting April 24, the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef Richard Long will offer a menu (approximately US$50 for one) that will include the Tarte Infiniment Vanille, a layered tart composed of a shortbread pastry crust with white chocolate vanilla ganache, and a cake imbibed with vanilla essence, topped with vanilla mascarpone cream. The tea set will also showcase the macaron, cream puff and pound cake.
As Maison Pierre Hermé Paris’s latest Fetish series, the Infiniment Vanille is a blend that combines vanilla beans from Mexico, Tahiti and Madagascar. Each bringing their unique characteristics respectively — intense, floral and oak — the trio of flavors has since become the signature “house” epicurean fragrance and a perfume.
Collaborating on the afternoon tea menu is Brook Wong, chef de cuisine (western banquet) of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Creating a selection of savory bites to enhance the experience, the chef says, “Vanilla is a widely used flavoring for pastries and desserts. On the other hand, its distinctive floral aroma also makes it an incredible ingredient for savory items, especially seafood.”
Vanilla Smoked Salmon Roll features a combination of vanilla oil, vanilla seeds, homemade smoked salmon and cream cheese. Green apple jam gives the Vanilla Crabmeat Sandwich a refreshing tang, and the Forest Mushroom Tart is served with black truffle and vanilla sauce to enhance the aromatic profile of the quiche.