With a career that spans more than twenty years and across continents, Jason Licker currently calls Bali home. His recent appointment as the executive pastry chef of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali coincidentally happened when the island is gearing up to host the world's leaders at the 2022 G20 Bali summit in November. The New York-native hits the ground running, so to speak, overseeing the beachfront resort's pastry and dessert offerings in all of its dining venues as well as the banquet.
"Pastry-making is something that I am deeply connected with - it just clicked right from the start. It is intense and demands long hours but I love the challenge of being able to utilize the palate beyond just sweetness," says the chef. His fascination with Asian flavours could be traced back to his globally influenced upbringing in New York. However, it was at Nobu Miami in 2000 did he discover ways to use Japanese ingredients in pastry, be it miso or matcha.
He continued his exploration in combining sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami to create his own style of Asian-accented pastry in Shanghai, Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore's renowned hotels and restaurants.
Eventually, his signature palate-challenging creations were compiled in an immaculately designed, self-published cookbook, Lickerland: Asian-Accented Desserts by Jason Licker. It was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2017 and crowned second in the Asian Cookbook in the World category at The World Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2018.
His second self-published cookbook, Baking with Licker: Home Baking with Asian Accents was a 2021 IACP Cookbook Award Finalist and the winner of the Best Asian Cookbook in the World at the 2021 World Gourmand Cookbook Awards.
What fuelled your fascination with Asian ingredients?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Plant-Powered Paradise
Exploring Seoul's Burgeoning Vegetarian Food Scene
Brewing tradition, bottling innovation
Chunpoong Brewery is safeguarding a cherished Korean beverage, makgeolli, while embracing innovation for a new era.
Home is where the heart is
The best memories are often made at home, something which Hideaway, Nae:um Group's latest venue featuring a cosy design inspired by nature, is venture, aims to recreate.
The Life Aquatic
On board Oceania Cruises' Riviera, a luxurious two-week voyage along the Southeast Asian coastline delivers on its promise as a food lover's paradise at sea, offering an array of specialty restaurants, thoughtfully re-inspired menus, and a state-of-the-art cooking school.
Bright lights, big city
Going to Bangkok for an extended weekend? We've narrowed down a few places for you to swing by.
Sun, sea and banh mi
NOX Beach Club in Central Vietnam is a balmy haven for daytime escapes and after-dark events. Plus you will never go hungry here thanks to the collection of six restaurants and bars.
Laneway stars
Melbourne shines bright with its bevy of dining gems and new luxe hotels. It's time to revisit this well-loved destination.
Spiced and praised
These spice-centric East Indies Gins from Spice Island Distilling Co. have been acclaimed for their authentic excellence.
Girl power
Seoul's female bartenders liven up the city's drinking scene with their artistry and expertise.
Eye on Asia
After 25 years in Hong Kong and 12 in Singapore, British wine merchants Berry Bros.& Rudd is a seasoned player on the Asian wine landscape. Charlie Rudd, a fourthgeneration family member, now leads the charge in Asia.
