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- Wednesday 24th January 2018
Wednesday 24th January 2018
Day 7 of 18
Daniel Calvert
Belon
41 Elgin Street Central, Hong Kong
info@belonsoho.com
+852 2152 2872
Daniel Calvert
British-born Daniel Calvert’s globetrotting career has taken him to some of the finest kitchens on the planet. Beginning his career in 2004 in London, he worked at the Ivy and Pied à Terre (with Shane Osborn who took part in Obsession in 2008) before packing his bags for New York and the rigours of three Michelin-starred cooking at Thomas Keller’s Per Se, where he was sous chef for five years. He continued his journey to Paris and another three-star kitchen, Epicure at Le Bristol working under legendary French chef Éric Fréchon before travelling 6,000 miles for his next position at Belon, a neo-Parisian bistro in Hong Kong.
With its bentwood chairs, banquettes, mirrors, marble table tops and globe lighting, Belon could have been transplanted from a backstreet in the 11th Arrondissement, the area in Paris most closely associated with the ‘Bistronomy’ movement that offers haute cuisine at affordable prices in relaxed surroundings and which is the inspiration for Belon.
Provenance is a priority for Calvert: “You can come here and have a Hokkaido scallop flown in from Japan that afternoon. Not everyone will notice the difference, but that’s why we’re here at 9am everyday – for the people who do.”
The menu is rooted in France too with dishes like pork and pistachio terrine with Dijon mustard. He serves his salad Niçoise with shima aji –Japanese horse mackerel and whole roasted chicken with petits pois à la Française is served with head and feet intact, Cantonese-style.
Calvert, who uses produce from Hong Kong, Japan and France says his favourite ingredient is sea urchin because of its unique characteristics and likes to serve the shellfish simply with an omelette. However, he singles out Piedmont hazelnut millefeuille as the restaurant’s must-try dish, explaining to Exquisite Taste magazine: “The puff pastry is hand rolled and there’s great effort to make each component as well as possible in its assembly. We have guests stop by late at night after eating dinner elsewhere because this is the dessert they want to end their night with.”
Forbes magazine said: “Belon’s French-inspired meals are an exciting addition to Hong Kong’s growing and diverse food scene … the commitment to the highest quality produce is exceptional.”
Prestige magazine described Calvert’s pigeon pithivier as ‘an instant classic’.
Daniel Calvert's Menu
AGED COMTÉ GOUGÈRES
AR Lenoble, Grand Cru, Chouilly, Champagne, France, NV
OYSTER TARTARE
HANDCUT PORK AND PISTACHIO TERRINE
Dijon Mustard
Exceptional Harvest, Bodegas Ximénez Spínola, Andalucia, Spain, 2015
SCALLOP RAVIOLI
Fruit Tomatoes and Basil
Pinot Grigio, Specogna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, 2015
PIGEON PITHIVIER
Fig and Amaretto
Renacer Milamore, Mendoza - Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, 2015
PIEDMONT HAZELNUT AND PÉRIGORD TRUFFLE
Mille Crepe
Boal, 5yr old reserve, Vinhos Barbeito, Madeira, Portugal, NV
Obsession Food Festival
Obsession is a celebration of great food, wine and a meeting of friends, old and new. It began in 2001 at Northcote and was created by Chef Ambassador Nigel Haworth.
From that first event, its size has grown but the ethos is still very much the same; a completely memorable culinary experience with some of the world’s most innovative chefs creating unique Obsession menus for guests to enjoy at Northcote.
Video
Film by Skyhawx
Image Gallery
OBSESSION 18 SPONSORS
HEADLINE SPONSOR
Sous Vide Tools
sousvidetools.com
01524 770060
Sous Vide Tools
Contact Details
sousvidetools.com
01524 770060
MAIN KITCHEN SPONSOR
Electrolux Professional
www.electroluxprofessional.com/gb/
03444 631 260
Electrolux Professional
Electrolux Professional provides globally renowned kitchen solutions and innovative products to meet the needs of chefs at Northcote; the home of Obsession 24.
Contact Details
www.electroluxprofessional.com/gb/
03444 631 260
CHEF TABLE SPONSOR
Gaggenau
gaggenau.com/gb
0344 892 8988
Gaggenau
Gaggenau is a manufacturer of high-quality home appliances and acknowledged as an innovation leader in design and technology “Made in Germany.” The company, with a history dating back to 1683, has revolutionised the domestic kitchen with its internationally acclaimed products. Gaggenau’s success is founded on technological innovation and a clear design language combined with high functionality. Gaggenau is currently represented in more than 50 countries with 24 flagship showrooms in major cities around the world.
Contact Details
gaggenau.com/gb
0344 892 8988
TRAVEL SPONSOR
Pure Luxury Holidays
pureluxuryholidays.co.uk
0800 747 0000
Pure Luxury Holidays
Gold Medal Travel's Pure Luxury provide personally tailored worldwide holidays to exact specifications of individuals, couples or family groups.
Contact Details
pureluxuryholidays.co.uk
0800 747 0000
Obsession Partners
The Wright Wine Company
Yorkshire Wine & Spirits Merchant
Specialist supplier of wine and spirits, ranging from the everyday to the premium, for both retail and the trade. We are proud to be chosen by several leading restaurants and michelin-starred hoteliers to help create award-winning wine lists and drinks menus, and enjoy a close working relationship, both personal and professional, with owners, sommeliers and managers alike.
Contact Details
Louis Roederer Champagne
Founded in 1776 in Reims, Louis Roederer is an independent family-run champagne house producing Louis Roederer and Cristal champagnes. Pioneers in sustainable farming, Louis Roederer works hand in hand with nature to produce extraordinary wines that reflect the terroir of the champagne soils and the passion of the Rouzaud family.
Contact Details
Wedgwood
Wedgwood exports all over the world with a commitment to creating premium, desirable and distinctively English home and lifestyle products to delight consumers.
Contact Details
Riedel
Riedel is known for the creation and development of grape varietal-specific stemware. Riedel Crystal was the first in history to recognize that the taste and aroma of a beverage is affected by the shape of the vessel from which it is consumed, and has been recognized for its revolutionary designs complementing alcoholic beverages and other drinks.
Founded in 1756 and pioneering grape varietal-specific stemware since 1958, Riedel has become the brand of choice for wine connoisseurs and drink specialists, hospitality professionals and consumers globally.