Mining for sugar at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio + WIN 1 of 2 Double Passes to Taste of Melbourne

How many desserts can one eat? Hmm. Let me rephrase that question. How many desserts and glasses of Laurent-Perrier champagne can one gulp down BEFORE dinner? Well, that’s the situation that I’m talking about. A few moons ago, I attended a tasting at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio as part of Taste of Melbourne 2013 and by ‘tasting’, I mean ‘OMG I’m mining for sugar’ kinda tasting.

If you’ve ever stepped inside Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio and succumbed to the warm, sweet smells of all kinds of sugar laden experiments, then homeboy, you had better be prepared to tackle some of the most creative desserts I’ve ever had. I work nearby, so I’m usually found deciding on which of their Belgian chocolate Magnum like (but better!) ice creams to take back to the office and dangle in front of the many dieters in the department. Their reactions are priceless.

desserts at burch and purchese

Laurent-Perrier Champagne

LaurentPerrier Champagne upon arrival that went incredibly well with everything it was scary. I was so gutted I had to drive home rather than getting an awesome UBER car like the other guests. That’s what I get for waking up late for work that day! I haven’t gotten into a cab since using UBER. Say goodbye to awful cab drivers who refuse to take you home because you don’t live far enough! Plus, they’re hella comfortable, drivers are real friendly and they give you a bottle of water and magazines to read. The best thing though, is that you get to rate the driver and vice versa. It’s a win win situation – as a consumer, we get great experiences and the drivers don’t get dumb bogans who abuse them. A fair system.

inside Burch and Purchese south yarrajars of salted caramel at birch and purchese

Many of their creations contain more than eight elements from velvet sprayed coconut mouse, coconut caviar to explosive chocolate coated popping candy and of course, the almighty salted caramel. Just knowing how many elements were in each creation made me appreciate every bite and like a fine wine, I took my time smelling and tasting all the nuances of flavours trying to figure out what’s what and feeling the various textures. OK, who am I kidding?  I didn’t do any of that sheeeaat! As soon as I arrived, I was already eying out and ready to pounce on my first prey –  Coconut Passionfruit, ginger+ Mint B&P Signature Tube.

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio Coconut Passionfruit, ginger

B&P’s creativity doesn’t stop at just the actual ingredients but how they position it. Take the coconut caviar for example aka tapioca pearls. Soft textures from the passionfruit curd and jelly, mint jelly, velvet sprayed coconut mousse to crumbly base made up of salted oat and ginger and a hardtop made out of white chocolate and mint. A perfect play of flavours.

Darren Purchese

The most memorable part of the evening was the way it was all presented atop a table of edible soil, golden chocolate leaves and let’s not forget the pink flowers that were of course, chocolate.

chocolate tart at burch and purchese Say AAAAAAHHHHHH

If there weren’t enough sweet surprises that night, Purchese asked us to come into the kitchen to unveil his latest invention, the creation of creations – the Summer Nitro Fizz as he called it.

Liquid nitrogen at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio

We watched as he poached white chocolate and raspberry parfait in liquid nitrogen whilst a plethora of elements  from Laurent Perrier Champagne jelly, mousse, raspberry compote, peach meringue, lemon curd to a  tangy shortbread were all playfully plated. The result was a mixture of tart and neutral flavours without coming off as too sweet which meant only one thing, I got to have MOOOAAAR. It was meant to be.

Darren Purchese Summer Nitro Fizz makings

new dessrts at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio

Dessert meets science…LITERALLY!!!!

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio dessrt with liquid nitrogen

summer nitro fizz Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio ART.

Last but not least, was a seriously gooey Salted Caramel, Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate Tart. Made with Belgian chocolate it’s even sprayed with chocolate velvet marshmallow. So insane, I ate this all the way home.

salted caramel choc tart at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio

And how could I not forget about these chocolate leaves that I managed shamelessly to bag on the way out. There is no same when it comes to chocolate especially when covered in edible gold brotha!

chocolate leaves at Burch and Purchese south yarra

best desserts melbourne

WIN 1 of 2 Double Passes to Taste of Melbourne

Keen on trying out B&P’s Summer Nitro Fizz? Good news is that it will be making it’s mega debut at this year’s Taste of Melbourne and even better news, I’m giving away two double passes worth a total of $120!

To enter, all you gotta do is leave a comment at the end of this post telling me what your favourite Melbourne restaurant is and LIKE my Facebook page.

Zee Details

Taste of Melbourne will be running for four days from November 14 – 17 making its second appearance at the lush Pelican Lawn next to Albert Park Lake. Make sure you keep an eye on YO food or else the duckies might grab it!

Opening times vary. Thursday 14th from 5:30pm – 9:30pm, Friday 15th – Saturday 16th 12 – 4pm & 5:30pm to 10:00pm and Sunday 17th 12 – 5:00pm.

You can also pre-purchase your crowns ahead of the crowds so you can jump straight in line of your favourite restaurant  otherwise, there will staff walking around be EFTPOS and credit card facilities. Last year, I headed straight to whatever was grilling (Movida) and of course, Albert St Food and Wine’s Lemon Tart. Other participating eateries this year are some of my longtime Melbourne favs; Longrain, Taxi Dining Room, Mamasita and of course, Burch and Purchese,

Zee Terms and Conditions

Available to Australian residents only

Competition closes Thursday 7 November 2013 11:59PM AEST

Winners are chosen randomly. The lucky duckies will be announced on our Facebook page and notified via email so keep your eyes peeled and leave a comment with a valid email address as I will need your postal address.

*****COMPETITION HAS CLOSED******

Thank you to everyone that entered – I wish I had more to giveaway. The lucky winners are:

John who voted –  “Blue Corn in St Kilda is easily my favourite!” Submitted on 2013/10/28 at 2:12pm

Berns who voted – “though I can’t afford it, vue de monde” Submitted on 2013/11/03 at 9:26pm

Highlights from last year’s Taste of Melbourne!

Gosh, it’s so hard narrowing down the highlights from last year’s event due to the overwhelming amount of tasty choices , but here it goes.

taste of melbourne

Draanks were ON at Rekorderlig Ciders hotspot fitted out with comfy bean bags where we all chilled out, sunbaked and drank Rekorderlig’s new cider range which included the orange and ginger and of course, the summer fav; strawberry and lime.

Rekorderlig Cider

My career as a bartender may have never come into fruition, but thanks to Sensology, I got to partake in their Art of Cocktail making class where it got a little messy. You see, it was way challenging trying to make a classic mojito when trying to capture all the moments with an SLR camera and and on my mobile but it was probably the most enjoyable and educational experiences that day apart from the eating that is! I’d definitely recommend that you sign up for one of their classes at Taste of Melbourne.

Sensology cocktail making classes

adrian briones food rehab

Oh what, you didn’t know I also moonlight as a bartender?!

Though The Aylesbury has now closed its doors *sad face* , their Lamb Ribs were juicy as hell and well worth a second helping.

lamb ribs

If I see a BBQ happening, Imma come running. Movida geniuses were turning tricks with these babies.

movida taste of melbourne

I reckon I’ve had Albert St Food and Wine’s Lemon Tart at least five times this year. Eat it and you’ll see whaaaay.

albert st food and wine lemon tart

Coconuts. That’s all.

coconuts

Food Rehab attended the Burch and Purchese tasting night courtesy of Taste of Melbourne and HotHouse Media & Events

Have you signed up for updates from Food Rehab? Get on the list and I’ll do my best to keep us learning about none-other than glorious, GLORIOUS food! Also, follow me on Facebook or Twitter if you have either of those addictive things.

Keep eating…LIKE CRAZAAY!

Adrian

42 thoughts on “Mining for sugar at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio + WIN 1 of 2 Double Passes to Taste of Melbourne

  1. PM24 – Philippe Mouchelle is the chef of chefs – inspirational market-fresh french food – never goes wrong.

  2. You lucky duck! You look like you had a delicious time. My fav Melbourne restaurant will have to be cutler and co.

  3. Aw I was meant to go to this event but pulled out at the last minute because I couldn’t attend 🙁 I love the sound of the Uber cars though – I hate taxis in Melbourne and try to avoid them when I can. Good to know that we finally have an alternative transport option after a late night. More than happy to pay extra for safety than risk the Nightrider or a dodgy cabbie!

    1. dang! You would have loved it! I could picture you going crazy at them golden leaves lol

      Yass Uber is great. Haven’t looked back since

  4. shame about the aylesbury, the lamb ribs look divine. I’m most looking forward to trying those desserts at burch and purchese

  5. Omg – that salted caramel, hazelnut and dark chocolate tart looks incredible! Love Darren Purchese’s work!!!

    That reminds me that my fave Melbourne restaurant is Spice Temple, for their amazing peanut butter salted caramel parfait!

  6. I recently visited Josie Bones and was delighted by the combination of two of my favourite things – good food and craft beer. And I thoroughly enjoyed pulling up a seat at the bar and chatting with the passionate, knowledgeable staff.

  7. Damn! I won’t be in Australia during November so I can’t enter the competition. BUT I did ‘like’ your Facebook page. The ‘B & P Sweet Studio’ looks amazing, I’ll definitely have to visit their store when I come to Melbourne. BTW, I would be honoured if you “liked” my blog Facebook page (G’day Souffle’)Cheers!

  8. What else do you moonlight as, RB??!?!?!?! Oh wait, I know! I hear in your freetime, you host these awesome #ttvn for 2 other good looking friends, innit right…?! Hey hey I’ve been hearing so many ppl talk abt the Uber transport service. Been meaning to try for the longest time! Can imagine how awesome it would be. Btw, don’t laugh but I still haven’t been to B&P too. I know, I live in a hole… On a side note, cannot cannot wait for next ttvn!!

    1. haha, secret! But yes, am indeed part of the TTVN crew!!!

      You gotta try Uber dude, and hello, head down to B & P NOW!!!!

  9. wow some great looking deserts there. I dont think I would be able to sleep If I want and ate all of those haha. I’m pretty sure id go overboard and eat way too much also….then feel sick

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