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The Australian chef talks about whipping up a relaxed yet luxurious dining experience diners will remember long after the meal is over
Dining well is indeed a privilege, although the avid diner would be quick to affirm that today’s idea of a refined meal is no longer confined to the elaborate trappings of fine dining conventions. It is, in fact, all about the quality experience—the kind of gastronomic encounter a seasoned professional like V-Dining’s new executive chef John-Paul Fiechtner is well skilled to deliver.
Even more impressive is how he is able to achieve this with an equal focus on comforting flavours and innovative techniques. It helps that the restaurant is powered by V-Zug’s state-of-the-art kitchen equipment—to boot, this is the Swiss premium home appliances brand’s first-ever casual fine dining restaurant, which debuted last year.
“Working with such a forward-thinking brand inspires me to be more innovative,” shared Fiechtner, who pointed out how long-drawn processes like fermenting garlic are significantly reduced using the brand’s popular combi-steam cookers and steam ovens.
Fiechtner is also a firm believer in crafting luxurious and artistic dishes from humble ingredients. Dishes like a serving of braised taro, which is first boiled in dashi, then dried and deep-fried, and shaved to create crisp and delicate textures. The dish is served with braising stock, pickled onion buds, crisp dried onion skin and green powder made from kitchen trimmings.
(Related: Kitchen Tour: Watch Architect Edmund Ng Cook Chilli Crab and More in His Minimalist Home)