Explore The Unknown With Chef Tobias Taubner

Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette This week we caught up with a star Chef hidden away at Ritz Carlton, JBR in Dubai. The German Chef has over 14 years of experience in luxury hotels and restaurants. “I have been doing this for a long time. I think during my studies it came to me by chance. I had training and when I got into the kitchen it was just something I liked. I have worked in small restaurants before I went and worked with different Michelin star chefs and I have learnt a lot from all of them,” Taubner told Saudi Gazette. “What keeps me going is the passion to create new items, otherwise it gets boring. So its fun to experiment even if you fail and of course criticism is as important. You want to know the truth. Also what kept me going was the discipline in kitchens. I worked with so many chefs so I have learned different ways and it’s the discipline that keeps me organized.” But what sets him apart from the rest is his ability to create unusual concoctions of just about anything. Have you ever heard of a mushroom éclair? Does that make you cringe? Well its nothing like you imagine. “I mean it just happened by chance. I was walking through the pantry from one kitchen to another. I have just finished cooking with mushrooms and headed to the dessert side. And it just clicked. I thought why not try and see how it goes. It’s not that strong by the way, you can feel it there but it doesn’t put you off. It’s a strange combination but people like experimenting and to be honest it works most of the time.” The Chef loves Arabic cuisine, and is well aware of the regional favorites having worked in Doha prior to this. “I am excited to see what comes in Ramadan we are working on some incredible ideas- fusions you haven’t heard of before.” And we don’t doubt him as he offers us a cool starter with hibiscus, labneh and anis. From the foam that tastes like a marshmallow, to the crunchy pieces that explode with flavors with labneh- a spoonful will blow your mind. Here are the chef’s exclusive recipes for Saudi Gazette readers. With recipes to impress, stand out with the most unique ideas this Ramadan.