2023-08-27 23:18:23
Published: 08/27/2023
Their pralines look like real gems, their desserts are in demand internationally. The 25-year-old Estonian Darja Zerebtsova is the pastry chef at the DAS KAPS restaurant in the Kitzbühler luxury resort A-ROSA. We met the talented confectioner for a chat.
The career of the young woman who has been making the hearts of the guests of the A-ROSA resort in Kitzbühel beat faster since November 2022 started when she was only 17. as chiefPastry chef In the DAS KAPS restaurant (Gastro.News reported) she provides unique dessert creations that are second to none. Darja Zerebtsova comes from Estonia and is one of the best in her field. Right from the start of her training at the cooking school, she moved to a small village in the south of England, where her passion for cakes and desserts was to begin in the kitchen of a small hotel. In the years that followed, her talent took her to many different cities in Europe before she ended up in Tyrol.
Here to stay – for now
“I came to the A-ROSA in November 2022, together with my partner,” Darja tells us during her variation of a tiramisu (with tonka bean ice cream, choux pastry, coffee macaroons, chocolate, caramel brittle and gold leaf) in the DAS KAPS restaurant on the A-ROSA golf course . “We were originally only planning to stay for the winter season, but we loved it here so much… we’ve also made dear friends and I’ve recently been promoted to pastry chef. That’s why we’re staying longer for now – we’ll see what’s coming.”
At such a young age, the “bucket list” is of course not yet exhausted. Anyone who has ever traveled in this profession usually has other destinations in mind: “I love traveling and learning new things. If I can combine that, I’ll be over the moon.” She would probably prefer to be something like a culinary nomad, as she describes: “Travelling from city to city and working at a different location every day!”
© Darja Zerebtsova
passion & creativity
However, daily trips are not that easy, because the job of a pastry chef involves a lot of preparation time and a great deal of sensitivity. There are many parallels to the profession of an artist. “I think the best thing regarding my job is the opportunity to be as creative as possible and to fully exploit the variety of tastes, textures, colors and presentation possibilities. There is no limit. In addition, you keep learning and growing in the industry, there is always something to discover. And if you’re passionate regarding your job, you’ll never get bored.”
But the work also brings challenges – the intricacies of confectionery leave no room for error; one wrong step and the job is gone. However, Darja also sees the advantage of being able to work efficiently and in a solution-oriented manner.
Chocolates like jewels
When asked regarding her own favorite creation, Darja is sure – her chocolates are number one. This is also confirmed to us on that mild summer evening in the DAS KAPS restaurant. These little treasures are masterpieces. “Making the chocolates is a process that combines everything: a lot of knowledge, techniques, and also art.” First, the confectioner creates the design on special polycarbonate modules. “I use cocoa butter, food coloring and a lot of imagination for this!” smiles the Estonian in conversation. The chocolate must then be tempered and carefully shaped. The right temperature is important, this is the only way the chocolates get their shimmering surface and precise structure. “Then comes the filling – then everything your heart desires can go in!” says Darja beaming, visibly happy with her job. Finally, the pralines are sealed and finished with a final layer of chocolate. “I’m always happy to be able to enjoy the end result. Each piece is a small work of art!”
We can only confirm that. And the variety of flavors is impressive and invites you to taste it – preferably directly in the restaurant THE CAP in Kitzbuehel. On the premises of the A-ROSA Resort, the friendly and uncomplicated restaurant with an excellent menu and a friendly team welcomes external guests with open arms. The same applies to the in-house sushi lounge! It’s worth stopping by!
You can also find Darja on Instagram at @babydbakes – she doesn’t usually accept private requests for weddings and the like, but is always open to interesting inquiries, she reveals with a wink.
© Darja Zerebtsova
1693187681
#Pastry #chef #Darja #Zerebtsova #conjures #magic #AROSA
