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2012-10-10
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For a full story coverage and pictures; please visit:http://www.epinosh.com/2012/09/nick-vina-artisan-bakery-singapore.htmlIt's a painful fact that not everyone is bestowed with a perfect baking skills. It could be in your blood or you acquired them through extended years of hardship. The job of a true baker is often laborious, with repetitious kneading and knocking the dough all day which cannot be completely replaced with the help of a machine. The willingness to put up with the intensive phys
http://www.epinosh.com/2012/09/nick-vina-artisan-bakery-singapore.html
It's a painful fact that not everyone is bestowed with a perfect baking skills. It could be in your blood or you acquired them through extended years of hardship. The job of a true baker is often laborious, with repetitious kneading and knocking the dough all day which cannot be completely replaced with the help of a machine. The willingness to put up with the intensive physique exhaustion came from the the passion and love they have that grow exponentially. Nationality does not differentiate the quality of their bakes but their devotion will.
While I rejoiced in the sprouting of many new European bakeries, I have vehement desire for local bakers who do away with large-scale productions. But the truth is such that my yearning has not been quite fulfilled by the limited number of distinguished local bakers who emphasize on handcrafted bread. Among the few, Chef Nick Chua is one (no preferential treatment notwithstanding that we bear the same surname..aw).
Nick, who had his training in Germany, had spent some years working in a small but reputable bakery shop in Hanover. He returned to Singapore, bringing with him the competency in crafting delicious artisan bread to serve his fellow countrymen that includes myself.
Typically, I am more delighted by the French baguette, Honey oat loaf and Granny sticks. Most renowned bakers would agree that it has been a challenge to maintain the crisp quality of the bread in Singapore, given its high humidity environment. This problem can only be reversed when I pop my baguette back to the oven for a quick toast. Apart from reviving its crispiness to relish at, I get to sniff the aroma from fermented yeast as I bite into the chewy crumb. This may not be the best french wand but it was a good one to have. More heart-warming one, the honey oat loaf. A huge block of mass is masked with rolled oats; looked stiff but is amazingly soft when you slices them. Faintly sweetened with honey, it starts your day sweeter than you ever imagined. If you want something savory instead, try the Granny sticks. It has a sharp cheesy flavor that probably could rouse your taste buds, but the missing crispiness is something that I hope to see in future.
On the sweeter side, Nick has brioche, sweet rolls and raisins buns to offer; of which I enjoyed the panettone with the merrily feel. This Christmas bread is definitely not the usual cupola shaped with a dome-like top structure. Here, it is a flat loaf but generously studded with mixed candied orange peels, raisins and lemon zest. Unlike the traditional ones that come with a dry texture, Nick's version is a lot more fluffier and cushiony; the way the Japanese baker crafts. Instead of heavily sugared, Nick showed mercy by keeping it to a minimal yet yielding a rich and flavorful creation.
To end your lunch, you may want to try their cakes. I haven't had a time for that though I wish I could return soon. So, for now, if you happened to give it a shot, do let me know if they are as good as they appear? I can only drool over photographs of them now. They are the creations of pastry Chef Vina Wang who partnered Nick in the business (that spells the name of the bakery: Nick Vina). I am seeing chocolate range like the Royale, Plaisir, Sacher, then the Nostaglia which is an earl grey infused cake and a fruity Raspberry mousse cake. Lemon tarts are also on display for someone who loves something tangy. With so many options, I believe one of them will hit the spot. If it doesn't, do let me know!
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