Rick and I were recently introduced to the work of Chef Omar Addihaoui of Opera Cafe, a patisserie and catering service in Kuwait. Omar Addihaoui has been receiving much attention of late due to his absolutely mind-boggling structural cake designs that he creates for royalty in Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi, Cairo, and other cities throughout the region. After our jaws hit the floor in amazement, a discussion ensued. Were the cakes real? We decided that we're pretty certain that none, or only a small portion of the design is actual cake. Structurally it is nearly impossible to make these designs in cake and we think it is most likely styrofoam. Just the fondant alone would be weighty. How much did they cost? Being a curious twosome, we looked on the internet and found an article about Chef Omar in the Al Watan Daily, where he quotes the cakes start at 600 Kuwaiti dinars (roughly $2000) to 3000 ($10,000) Kuwaiti dinars for a replica of Versailles. Those are decent numbers for sure. Then we asked the question 9 out of 10 people ask us. How long does it take Chef Omar to make a cake? We found the answer in the same article:
"Surprisingly, he added: "Cakes can be made in a single day. We are a big team, all of us participating at different levels, and many of our customers are surprised at the pace of our creations at Opera. We can finish a cake in one day. Its not about the size of the cake, it''s about how we are organized"
Asked how much time a customer needs to preـorder a cake, Addihaoui said: "Usually customers order them a month to fifteen days ahead, but sometimes they order them a week ahead or sometimes the same day."
Whoa! He can finish a cake in one day and customers can order a cake the same day of the event? We're even more sure now that the cakes are all or mostly faux. Other cakers care to chime in? We invite your comments. These awe-inspiring designs are original, to say the least. Artistically they may or may not suit your tastes, but Chef Omar is one of the only people out there doing cakes like this in the world. I wasn't at all surprised when we read in the same article that Chef Omar draws his inspiration from his own imagination. He and his team of cake artists do not copy designs from anyone else. Amazing work and totally original! We love how he stands in front of his cakes with his arms crossed. word. Our hats are off to Chef Omar. His designs are being talked about around the world!
Did anyone else think of Homer Simpson when they saw this cake?
12 comments:
Hi Rick and Sasha Reichart
Simply astounded and bow to the finesse and perfection of Chef Omar Addihaui's craft work in sugar.
Hi Rick and Sascha,
I think it's entirely conceivable that parts of these creations are cake, but large portions of them clearly are faux cakes. Consider the weight in some of those pieces - they literally appear to defy gravity. Also the 'one day to produce them' thing makes me very suspicious, unless he has the world's largest freezer and several slabs worth of cake hiding in there!
They are beautiful works of art and I totally appreciate them for their beauty and detail (not to mention man hours!). Unbelievable, really!
...and I totally see the Homer donuts, too!
- Michelle
It is hard to believe those incredible sculptures are really cakes. I've never seen anything like it!
These are gorgeous. I would think he would need something really light but strong like styrofoam. The price is definitely right though if you want to make a big splash at an event!
hola soy luis de argentina, soy maestro pastelero y deseo felicitar al chef omar addihaoui,por sus exelentes obras de arte mi mail es :mulvayluis@hotmail.com
These cakes are astonishing and outstanding. This is what the robber baron era must have looked like in New York in the latter part of the 19th century when the Vanderbilts hosted parties where the guests were given party favors of little silver bowls of precious jems.
I believe that most of the cake has to be faux. They can't be real. Cakes like these monsters are built in Indonesia and only on tier is real there. I hope more people interview him, I am curious.
i been online for about 2hrs looking for a # or address for chef omar and can't find it. I am getting married next year middle 2010. and want it done by chef omar is there anyone that can give me info of where i can place an order. These are the best cakes i've ever seen. **BEAUTIFUL**
estimado cheff omar addihaoui he quedado maravillada con sus creaciones sinceramente hay que sacarse el sombrero con tanta hermosura le dese a uste un muy feliz 2010 una admiradora repostera de un pais chiquitito llamado uruguay
Hello I am present omar addihaoui I am the creator of the wedding cakes
oaddihaoui@hotmail.com
phone 00965 9734 8388
kuwait city
Hello I am present omar addihaoui I am the creator of the wedding cakes
oaddihaoui@hotmail.com
phone 00965 9734 8388
kuwait city
i met Omar in Kuwait (2003) althought YES most the cake presented is polystyrene, the whole cake is finished in edible decorating products, so there is no need to discount his skill because he uses polystyrene, when you hear the demands from the locals in Kuwait and region you really have no choice, i too was making wedding cakes there for a short period, and the demands are just ridiculous. on one encounter with Omar his team said the cake i was looking at he charged the wedding couple USD$30,000. it was spectacular with out question....
and on many occasions the wedding couples family dont even ask how much the cake will be, Kuwaiti's dont concern themselves about money they just want to make sure they are happy, which is very difficult to achive, as they have VERY high expectations
Всем привет!)) Торты супер!Если это шедевры на вид,то каким же замечательным будет их вкус?))) Жаль что такой тортик попробывать невозможно(
Post a Comment