Many Beijing diners, including myself, have a rather broad opinion about the state of the local restaurant scene. Though it has grown by leaps and bounds in the last five years, Beijing lacks the culinary reputation of its over-achieving big brother, Shanghai. There have been signs of gentrification, like the arrival of Maison Boulud (inspired and occasionally visited by a Michelin starred chef) and the much anticipated opening of M on the Bund spin-off, Capital M, but selfishly, I don’t want us to be a city of second-runs. I want Beijing to groom and support chefs who have decided to launch careers here in our beloved metropolis.
Undeniably, one of the cornerstones of the local dining scene is the five star hotels that continue to attract top quality chefs and hospitality managers. Homegrown chefs is it not, but the army of hotel-associated culinaires adds depth to the local talent pool, demanding that other restaurants lacking in care, service, experience or strategic perspective step their game up a notch. In this vein, I’d like to offer a hearty congratulations and good luck to Teresa Ma, who, as the pastry chef of Shangri-La’s Kerry Centre Hotel, has been selected as one of the two pastry chefs that will represent China in the Second International Confectionery Art Competition in Paris. The competition will include a dozen mixed doubles teams that will compete in 21 hours of live work over three days of competition starting on March 6th. Teresa, in good spirits, stated, “I know it will be a tough competition. However, I will face the challenge and work with my Shanghai counterpart to deliver the best,”
Perhaps I’m revealing too much about my guilty pleasures, but I’ve watched a couple of these competitions on TV and the chocolate-sculpting, candy-pulling, marzipan-shaping extravaganza that is a pastry art competition is pretty amazing. But, no matter how pretty the cake, it doesn’t matter a lick (pun intended) unless the taste is up to par. The proof is in the pudding (again with the pun) as Teresa’s main project, Bento & Berries, is home to some of the best sweets in town.
Again, congratulations to Teresa and good luck in Paris. If you happen to be in the CBD area, slave to a sweet tooth, make sure to stop by Bento & Berries for decadent treat from an award-winning pastry chef.
