Janice Wong remembers the Chennai beach vividly from her visit to the city almost 15 years ago. She was representing her school at a Junior Squash championship in Chennai, and had little idea that she would one day be the face of the launch of new Magnum Choco Cappuccino flavour in the city. The Singapore-based chef who switched fields from Economics, is also known for her edible art works. She is currently working on 1,000 edible art pieces for an exhibition that will be travelling to Beijing, London, Madison Square, and back to Singapore. “I want to show how creative we can get with with food,” says ‘Asia’s Best Pastry chef’. She opens up to City Express about what she thinks about the traditional sweets here, besides her love for chocolate.
Blast from the Past
Though I was here for a week, I was not as adventurous as I am today. I did not remember taking the effort to walk around and taste the traditional food here. But I have good memories of Chennai. The place exposed me to the Indian flavours, and for a long time, I had that in my memory. But I had been here three years ago. I visited three cities — Mumbai, Goa and Delhi — to explore the cuisines. Though I plan to come to India every year, it just doesn’t happen because of other commitments.
Chennai too Sweet?
The sweets in Chennai, to be really honest, hit you when you first taste them. It is just too sweet. However, I think they have a good balance of spice. Recently, in Mumbai, I had a sweet made of Moong Dal, there was so much sugar in it that it was really hard to finish the whole thing. I think the one difference between sweet and savoury here, is the amount of sugar one adds, and not the core ingredient. Indians use cardamom, cloves, roses, flour, lentils, etc, in everything. Lentils are not just savoury here. I have read a lot about Indian cuisine, about the different palates and level of spice.
Desi Diaries
I was here for a week, and the tour across the cities in India for Magnum has encouraged me to try more recipes with chocolate and ice cream. Here, people have been going crazy about the recipes we turn out at the Magnum Masterclass. I was shocked when a guy from the audience had the
Choco Cappuccino and shouted in front of the crowd that he was having an orgasm. I have heard women would say, but a man? It was new to me.
Chocolate Cures
Chocolate is my one and only escape. I run three companies, and have recently opened a retail brand that sells a wide range of cakes and eclairs. We are also expanding to Japan. So, with all these responsibilities, whenever something does not go smoothly, I run into the chocolate room and start making chocolates. I think, it can make anyone smile. People might say that they do not eat chocolate, but they cannot hate it. It is one ingredient which cannot find a replacement at all.
From Milk to Dark Chocolate
My first taste of chocolate was when I was two years old. I remember having a sweet, creamy, milk chocolate. I loved it. Probably, at that time, if you would have given me dark chocolate, I wouldn’t have liked it. But now, my taste has grown from milk to dark chocolate. I think the taste of chocolate grows with you. You tend to like one at some point of your life, and grow out of it probably later.