H&S Chef Of The Month

Chef Julien Perrinet

Nationality: French

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Interview With H&S Magazine

Who Is Julien Perrinet?

Born and raised in Concarneau, a small city in Brittany (west of France). Julien grew up in a traditional family with good values. He is the last born of 3 boys, his childhood has been stable and sweet.

His passion for cooking started early. Making cakes and sweets with his mum to celebrate any occasion was always the priority. At 12 years old, Julien announced to his parents that he wanted to become a pastry chef. After 4 years spent in the famous St Joseph culinary school in Concarneau, Julien left his hometown to Paris, to learn from the best. This is when he joined chef Bernard Ganachaud‘s team (M.O.F) in Vincennes in 2001.

After quite a few overseas experiences & rich encounters (Canada, Qatar, Maldives, China…), his path brought Julien to Singapore where he took part in the opening of two restaurants “Joel Robuchon” in Sentosa. These establishments have been awarded respectively 2 and 3 Michelin stars.

Julien joined the Hyatt family in 2015, as Executive pastry chef of the Grand Hyatt Taipei for almost 6 years. Julien is still part of the family as he integrated the iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo after his Taipei experience.

With a team of 42, he was in charge of 7 restaurants, a cake shop (Baguette) plus very large and busy banqueting operations, creating giant cakes, giant macarons pyramid, amazing buffets, and creative fashionable canapes (for brands like LV, Chanel, Moschino, Fendi, Dior, Hermes, Rolex, IWC, BMW…)

He has won many awards namely, Taiwan’s best chocolate cake (2018 and 2020) Mother’s Day competition organized by the Taiwanese media Appledaily, The Best Chef Awards (2019), selected in one of the best 400 pastry chefs in the world by “the best chef Awards”, Ambassador chef (2019) Les Vergers Boiron famous french brand providing frozen fruit and vegetable purees, coulis, semi-candied fruits and fruits in pieces. Prova Gourmet a 70 years old company that has been seeking out and selecting the most precious vanillas. Coupe du monde de patisserie (World cup pastry competition) (2019) Taiwan national pastry team finished 10th on 28 national teams which took place in Lyon (France), Asia pastry week (2018) 3rd place in the chocolate C3 Valrhona Chefs Competition, qualification for WPC with the 5th place in the Asian Pastry Cup (Taiwan team).

 

Type Of Cuisine?

French pastry of course with a strong Asian influence (I am since 15 years in Asia) with healthy concerns (sustainability and reducing sugar, banned coloring, and additives).

 

What Inspired You To Become A Chef?

I knew I wanted to become a chef since I was 12. (Probably cooking with my mum and baking cakes for family’s birthdays). I always wanted to challenge myself to make amazing cakes since I was a kid.

 

What Is The Biggest Challenge You Have Faced In The Culinary Industry?

I had to face many challenges in my career, but probably the biggest is communication. I have traveled in many different countries and the most challenging part is to make sure people understand you, your style, and your advice.

 

What’s Your Biggest Achievement In The Culinary Industry?

Despite the fact that I become an executive pastry chef in a famous hospitality brand, I believe that bringing the National Taiwan team to “coupe du Monde de la patisserie” in 2019 was one of the best memories of my career.

 

When It Comes To Cooking What Is More Important To You The Technique, The Ingredients Or The Creativity?

I think you need to have all of it combined to be a good chef. Once you mastered the balance between all the aspects of pastry work, this is how you become a chef. In the hotel industry, being a chef is not just cooking but so much more skills are necessary.

 

Recipe Of The Week: Father’s Day 2021 – Dad’s Cigar

Coffee Namelaka | Dulcey Caramel Pearls | Dark Chocolate

Coffee Namelaka

Ingredients:

• 500g cream
• 1pcs vanilla pod
• 24g coffee extract
• 180g white chocolate
• 50g mass gelatin

 

Preparation

Pipe the namelaka on cling wrap. Add pearls (8 pcs) and roll it like “a sausage”

 

Chocolate glaze

Ingredients

• 300g dark chocolate Caraibe 66%
• 300g Guanaja 70%
• 250g Canola oil

 

Preparation

Mix all together, (at 31c). Dip the frozen cigar into the glaze to cover it fully. Next, roll it into cocoa powder brut.
Remove the powder with a brush and give the brut look of the cigar.

 

Composition- Total weight of the cigar (70g):

• Coffee Namelaka (55g)
• Dulcey pearls (5g)
• Dark Chocolate glaze (10g)
• Peta Zeta chocolate (5g) (in snow powder)
• Nuts in the box (35g)

Assemble & Garnish As Per The Image: