It begins simply, with a circular base of light pink and white cubes of kombucured hamachi and pickled jicama, daikon and green apple against a pure white plate. Then, a diaphanous apple cider gelée cut to the exact same diameter of the base is gently laid atop, flecks of dill, marigold petals and fennel pollen suspended within it glistening in the light. Then there are more layers, as a quenelle of golden smoked pike roe is laid alongside emerald-hued nasturtium leaves atop the gelée. Finally, the entire affair is crowned by a brilliant red nasturtium blossom, while a deep green sauce of nasturtium and lemon verbena whey surrounds the assemblage.
The dish—a seasonal addition to the tasting menu at Central finecasual restaurant Cultivate—is a stunner with its bold swathes of red, yellow and green, yet for chefpatron Leonard Cheung, plating comes only a distant third among his priorities while designing a dish.
“If you think too much about the plating, it’ll look like a clusterf **k. It’ll be too much stuff—to the point where it doesn’t look delicious anymore.”
Indeed, plating is an oft-cited point of contention in the world of modern fine dining—one that came under the microscope as diners moved away from delicately arranged morsels to more homey comfort food over the course of the pandemic.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Old-World CHARM
Professional photographer and content creator Zipeng Lee takes off to Switzerland to experience some of the country’s most storied heritage hotels
THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi
Renowned Noma chef René Redzepi and executive producer Matt Goulding unpack Apple TV's new eight-part docuseries, Omnivore, and its exploration of humanity through food
COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Tatler speaks to Bing Chen, Prabal Gurung and Kevin Lin to discuss how their non-profit Gold House is changing the future of the Asian diaspora
INDUSTRIALI
Exploring the important sustainability efforts taking place beyond obvious industries
THE BALL'S INHER COURT
China's most celebrated tennis star Li Na opens up about her career, influencing young athletes and her continuous learning journey
Love Story
Set in Paris, Graff's new bridal campaign marries the timelessness of love and diamonds
Over the Rainbow
The inspirations behind Hermés creative director for jewellery Pierre Hardy's latest and gorgeously colourful high jewellery collection surprise and delight
Twist and Turn
Bvlgari's debut Tubogas jewellery collection reimagines a classic technique with 16 stunning creations
Game On
From diamond‑set carabiner‑inspired clasps to a carbon fibre cuff, Chanel knocks it out of the park with Sport, an audacious and innovative high jewellery collection unlike any other
The Wrist Taker
Shipping scion and basketball team owner Hendi Widodo unlocks his vault of rarefied timepieces