Nicolas Rouzaud - The Connaught’s Pastry Chef

The Connaught’s patisserie, featuring rose-hued décor and marble floors, is among London’s most exquisite bakeries.

Chef Nicolas Rouzaud

The cuisine is visually appealing, crafted by the innovative Nicolas Rouzaud, culinary partner at The Connaught and head of the hotel's patisserie. Originating from southern France, Rouzaud was employed at prestigious establishments such as Le Bristol in Paris before to relocating to London, where he became part of The Connaught’s workforce.

Nicolas Rouzaud on the Craft of Pastry Making

Your pastries resemble exquisite pockets of vibrant artistry. Who or what serves as your source of inspiration?

The shifting seasons serve as my primary source of inspiration, a fervor originating from my youth. My family possessed an orchard abundant with fruit trees, and one of my cherished recollections is the act of hand-picking fruit and consuming it directly off the tree. This experience imparted the significance of selecting fruit at its optimal maturity, a tenet I have upheld throughout my career as a pastry chef. Achieving an optimal equilibrium of freshness and flavor has emerged as one of my foremost concerns.

The Connaught Patisserie

Where did you refine your skills?

My varied experiences have molded me into the professional I am today, and I am profoundly appreciative of what I have learnt over this journey. As a proud French chef, I ardently champion our gastronomy and culinary artistry. Although I have cultivated an own pastry style, it is indisputable that a significant portion of my inspiration and expertise derives from the teachers who have influenced my career.

What are your objectives while employed in the pâtisserie at The Connaught?

I strive to provide customers with an extraordinary experience, commencing with flawless service – a fundamental aspect of fine dining – and presenting the highest quality culinary masterpieces. At The Connaught Patisserie by Nicolas Rouzaud, we take pride in creating cakes that are both aesthetically exquisite and delectable. Delivering exceptional service is essential, albeit intricate, necessitating meticulous attention to numerous elements. I maintain a traditional perspective on service, ensuring that each team member anticipates our guests' needs to facilitate a flawless and memorable experience.

What is the subsequent item on your menu?

The changing seasons hold significant importance for me, and with the arrival of pear season, we have created the Pear Entremet to commemorate it. This year's pears are remarkable, exhibiting a flavor that is both subtle and bright, highlighting the diversity of this exquisite fruit. The Pear Entremet has a delicate pear mousse encasing a rich pear insert, situated atop a tender lemon sponge. A layer of whipped ganache offers a creamy juxtaposition, while fresh, succulent pears and a sweet pear jam contribute a pleasing explosion of fruitiness. Ultimately, a crisp almond foundation provides texture and equilibrium, seamlessly enhancing the sophistication of this festive masterpiece.

On 7 October, we will introduce a unique patisserie to the counter. I am delighted to have collaborated with renowned British artist Liz West to produce what can only be characterized as delicious masterpieces in honor of Frieze London. Driven by a profound enthusiasm for creating visually and gastronomically appealing patisserie, I have collaborated closely with Liz to manifest her passion for optics, geometry, color, and whimsy in these confections.

What is your quintessential dessert?

A well-crafted dessert embodies simple elegance, although nothing rivals a strawberry tart for me. The exquisite harmony of fresh, sweet strawberries and the rich pastry is utterly enticing. I have a special affinity for cakes and pastries that incorporate fruit, as they consistently impart a refreshing quality to the presentation. It also evokes memories of the days I spent harvesting strawberries in my family's garden. Those instances, imbued with serene delight and cherished recollections, render each morsel of a fruit dessert significantly more poignant.

For additional information, visit theconnaughtpatisserie.co.uk