Felicity Spector has been deputy programme editor for Channel 4 news for sometime now but it’s her love of a good pud that really gets her going. In this week’s 5ourites, this queen of puddings tells us her five favourite desserts in London – not an easy task by any means…
1. Chocolate babka from Honey and Co
This is truly outstanding but it’s so hard to choose what to have, that I’ve often had one for dinner and another in a box to take home, ostensibly for the next day. On one, glorious occasion, there was a peanut butter cheesecake with a jug of hot chocolate sauce to pour on at the table. Just imagine that.
2. Red wine poached pear tarte tatin from Piquet
Allan Pickett wasn’t once crowned patisserie chef of the year for nothing. His red wine poached pear tarte tatin is a creation of absolute beauty, with the silkiest, smoothest quenelle of cinnamon ice cream on the side. We might have already polished off a vast platter of six other brilliant desserts – but this was utterly irresistible, indeed unmissable.
3. Pumpkin tart from Chiltern Firehouse
Head pastry chef Adam Degg is quite simply, a pastry genius. My favourite dish from his repertoire is this pumpkin tart, a gently spiced, golden hued wobbly custard in crisp, buttery pastry: like all the best Thanksgivings I’ve ever had rolled into one, perfect pud.
4. Rhubarb almond tart from Petersham Nurseries
Rhubarb for ever. Melt in the mouth pastry, rich, almost toasty frangipane, striped with pretty-as-pink strands of fruit. And you’re sitting in the poshest garden centre in the world. Just don’t be tempted to pick up a trowel in the shop on the way out – it’ll cost you more than lunch.
5. Chocolate caramel tart from Portland
Now with added Michelin star power! Three words: chocolate caramel tart. Yes. And, just because, a mille feuille with wafer thin layers of crisp pastry layered with the softest, creamiest pistachio custard. A big kapow on the plate. Worth three stars, Mr Michelin.
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