Shizo caramel

Techno-Emotional Cuisine: A Sensory Indulgent Experience at the Benazuza Restaurant

By on April 6, 2015

After several press conferences at the Wine and Food Festival, my stomach started to grumble something fierce. Patience I told myself, patience. Don’t get me wrong, there was an array of delicious finger foods for those attending the conferences but I wanted and craved more…it was after all, a Wine and Food festival! Alas, the food gods heard my pleas and spoiled me as I was about to embark on a culinary journey of enjoying Techno-emotional cuisine (term preferred by Chef Ferran Adria, King of molecular gastronomy). And there was only one place that could deliver such a quest…at the famed Benazuza Restaurant located at the beautiful Oasis Sens Hotel. Having worked under the guidance of Ferran Adria, Chef Rafael Zafra has brought with him skills that have earned him several prestigious awards, including 2 Michelin Stars when he worked at the Benazuza Hacienda in Seville, Spain.

Benazuza Restaurant

Benazuza Restaurant

Talk about being a kid in a candy store, I couldn’t wait! Aren’t gifts even better when they are least expected?! Now for total disclosure: truth is, in the past as much as I have been intrigued by the concepts that is so intricately involved in molecular gastronomy, I must confess it was never well received in the past…from my end. Like everything, I realize that it all depends who is at the helm of the cooking and the facet in which it’s delivered. Luckily for me I had no idea at the time what Techno-emotional cuisine was because if I had, I am afraid I would have entered this epicurean journey with a tainted view based on my previous experiences.

Sitting in the private dining room amongst other journalists, the realization quickly hit me that everyone was speaking in Spanish and my token “hablan muy poco espaรฑol” was not going to suffice in this setting. Don’t get me wrong, I can understand the basics and ask for the bare necessities. But how on earth do I even begin to converse let alone understand the language when we are talking about molecular gastronomy?! Good grief, even in English it’s pretty hard for me to wrap my head around the mechanics involved in this jaw dropping, sensory overload cuisine. Having been in similar situations like this one (where Iย didn’t know anyone or know little of the language) I have always managed and enjoyed myself. And I thought this situation was going to be the same, I was there to enjoy a beautiful meal and that’s what I was determined to do – regardless if I didn’t understand everything being said.

Oh, I forgot to mention a little detail that needs mentioning…that Murphy’s Law and I are best buddies! He only shows up when I think all is good and he somehow has an knack to hear my ever so faint whispers of “what could possibly go wrong?”. It’s a love-hate relationship that we have….I hate how he shows up in the most inopportune moments and he loves to see me squirm and turn every facet of red humanly possible that one can turn…but I digress.

Sitting down in the plush chair after introducing myself to those sitting around me, I felt relaxed in the ambiance that the private dining room gave and was ready for the techno-emotional cuisine to start! Little did I know, but the first amuse bouche was right in front of me the whole time…a beautiful vase that held a handful of luscious red roses were part of the meal. Having been given some tweezers to ‘pull out a petal’ and eat it seemed easy enough…or so I thought. As I plucked one of the delicate rose petals, I was immediately blocked from eating it just as I was about to put it in my mouth – I was told that the ‘petal’ that was to be eaten was hidden ever so cleverly in the actual rose. So, not only did I feel embarrassed of the near mishap (classic on my art) but there was a positive spin to this embarrassing incident…it broke the ice and relaxed the air in the room as we all tried to communicate more with one another.

So my fellow food lovers, let me take you on my food voyage of techno-emotional cuisine…enjoy the ride!

As Benazuza’s motto states:

“Dinner, Nice concept, is the meal that precedes dreams… but inย the case of the Benazuza kitchen, It need not be in that order”

The Rose

The Rose that broke the ice for the Food Tease

 

The rose petal and beet…see how I could get confused when hidden in the flower ๐Ÿ˜‰

 

 

 

 

 

Damiana Sour:

Cactus juice and cream in liquid nitrogen

Damiana Sour(2) Damiana Sour1 Damiana Sour

Margaritaย & Zafritas

Cold and hot Margarita

Cold and hot Margarita

 

Zafritas (dehydrated mashed potatoes with spices)

champagne iconย Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut

Snacks:

Shizo caramel: japanese seaweed with tuna and cucumber

Shizo caramel

Cod: cod and salmon caviar

Cod

Crab flute: crab and guacamole taco

Crab flute

Crab flute

Eel volcano: eel fish with apple, foie gras and caviar

European eel volcano

Eel volcano

Taco de canasta: steamed taco with foie gras and tuffle

Taco de canasta

Avocado tempura: avocadoย with tequila and orange

Avocado tempura

Corn: baby corn with vanilla mayonnaise

Baby corn with vanilla mayonnaise

Mushroom โ€œgorditaโ€: mushroom brioche

Gordita

Duck tamale: duck confit tamale with green sauce

Duck confit tamale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duck confit tamale

wine iconย Rincรณn del Barรณn Double Blanc 2011

Tapas:

Black jungle foie: foie gras, passion fruit jelly, calamari ink and praline on top

Black jungle foie

Egg: potato foam with Valladolidโ€™s (Mayan) spicy pork sausage and chilli oil

Egg_ Egg1

Artichoke nest: cheese foam with beef reduction, caviar eggs and fresh truffle

IMG_5973

Artichoke nest

 

wine iconย Doรฑa Dolores Cuatro Regiones 2011

Entrรฉes:

Fish roasted on a hotplate: (tatemado is a pre-Hispanic technique) sole, black sesame, shrimp potato foam with calamari ink phyllo pastry

Tatemado fish

Lamb burrito: lambย with sacred leaf and marinade: tortilla, lamb, lamb juice, pumpkin flower, guajillo chile with a pistachio vinaigrette on top

Lamb burrito

Pre-dessert:

Soursop mollusk: (soursop: tropical sweet and sour fruit) with mussels and limes

Soursop mollusk

ย Dessert:

Mandarin: Mandarin orange cheesecake

Mandarin cheesecake

ย Morphings:

The cherry: cherries with chocolate mint

Sinful cherries

Shot: margarita and lime jelly

Margarita shots

Not only was the multicourse lunch an experience in which I will no doubt remember and cherish for years to come, but it was also one of different flavours, textures and intriguing concepts of how food can be manipulated and reinvented by science. Zafra’s interpretation of certain edible items amazed me as to how it kept the integrity of the item regarding its true flavour and in some cases how it accentuatedย its subtleties.

Chef Rafael Zafra and The Food Tease

Funny how one meal can change your outlook on things. Even the most faint of flavours can be transformed and become the highlight of the feast…in the right hands that is!

The perfect marriage - garlic escargots and @moetchandon Ice Imperial Champagne ๐Ÿพ ๐Ÿฅ‚๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting this incredibly refreshing Champagne, then I'd suggest you do it and do it now!! You'll thank me for it๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜‹

What is unique about this Champagne is the fact that it was created to be served over ice, hence its name - Ice Imperial. It is the perfect accompaniment to any dish or simply alone...sheer perfection!!

Here's to more 'occasions' or 'simply because' ๐Ÿ˜‰

Cheers๐Ÿฅ‚

#foodblogger #travelblogger #foodphotography #foodporn #champagne #champagnelover #icechampagne #moet #moetchandon #anyoccasion #justbecause #escargot #luxelife #thefoodteaseeats #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #tmacontario
"Cook with love always, and people will feel it" - Chef @antonyannick70

It was a pleasure and honour to witness Chef Yannick Anton from @lecordonbleuottawa receive the Chevalier de L'Ordre du Mรฉrite Agricole. 

This award, bestowed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, recognizes his contribution to promoting French culture in Ottawa and across Canada through his work as a chef and culinary instructor. 
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ต ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿณ

Read about his extraordinary career in my article published in the Fall issue of @luxeottawamagazine 

A lifelong passion for his craft - Congratulations again, Chef!!๐Ÿ…๐Ÿคฉ

#travelblogger #foodblogger #travelwriter #foodwriter #chef #cheflife #chevalier #meriteagricole #prestigious #accolades #frenchculture #promoting #published #luxelife #tmac #tmacontario #ifwtwa1 #frenchchef
The @brookstreetott hotel is a dreamy setting for couples embarking on their marital journey, especially with their all-in-one location. ๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿคฉ

Discover their exclusive curated services in my recently published article featured in the Fall/Winter issue of the @ottawawedding magazine.

โ— Premiere wedding venue ๐Ÿ’โœ…๏ธ
โ— 18-hole championship golf course โ›ณ๏ธโœ…๏ธ
โ— Exceptional cuisine ๐Ÿฝ โœ…๏ธ

Make your next stay a memorable one with the Brookstreet Hotel! 

#foodblogger #travelblogger #traveldestination #weddingvenue #ottawa #championshipgolfcourse #golfcourse #curated #awardwinning #getaway #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #travelwriter #ottawaweddingmagazine #published #lovemyjob #ifwtwa1 #tmactravel #tmac #tmacontario
Those who know me know I'm weak for tasty popcorn and @fromfarmtotablecanada
 spoiled me with theirs!! ๐Ÿฟ ๐Ÿ˜‹

Proudly Ontario-made and woman-owned, From Farm to Table Canada has debuted their limited-edition CNE Kettle Corn in collaboration with the Canadian National Exhibition @letsgototheex for the 2024 season.Their beautiful package illustrations captures the fun that we have, when at the CNE ๐ŸŽข.

It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty - my favourite!! ๐Ÿ˜

They are available in two sizes: Family Bag and Grab & Go. Sold online as well as in retail chains and many independent stores.

This must-have snack for the summer is available until Labour Day. 

Get yours today and enjoy!!๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿฟ
A couple of evenings ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by my alma mater, @lecordonbleuottawa to witness Chef @antonyannick70 be awarded France's L'Ordre du mรฉrite agricole, the highest civilian honour from the embassy @franceaucanada ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

This distinction recognizes the contributions of Chef Yannick to promote French culture in Canada and Ottawa specifically - through his work as a chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Ottawa. 

Special moments of the evening included Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet sharing with guests the numerous accomplishments that Chef Yannick Anton has accomplished over the years. Simply remarkable!!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
A very touching and inspiring moment came when Chef Yannick Anton gave praise and gratitude to his mentors, who helped him attain his dream in the culinary industry. He also reminded the graduating class of chefs to always have a vision and to never let it go.๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿณ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿผโ€๐Ÿณ๐Ÿ˜

And it wouldn't be a celebration without some tasty treats that exude French flare! They even had chocolate graduation hats - very cute and apropo ๐ŸŽ“๐ŸŽ“

Bravo Chef!!๐Ÿ˜Š
Muy Caliente!!๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒž

With the insanely hot weather, nothing is more refreshing than this tasty Brazilian lemonade with some @bacardi Gold
Rum for the win!!๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿ˜‹

And let me tell you, a pitcher was made...as it's THAT delicious!!

At this rate, I will finally start to enjoy the summer heat...providing I have my 'special' lemonade!๐Ÿ˜‰

Cheers!

#foodblogger #travelblogger #cocktails #cocktailporn #brazilianlemonade #braziliandrink #summerdrinks #bacardi #rum #summerheat #summerheatwave #lemonadeforadults #thefoodteasedrinks #ifwtwa1 #tmac #enjoylife #enjoythemoment
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