THE Langham, Shenzhen’s new French executive pastry chef Kevin Lee has created an “International Afternoon Tea Journey” based on classic recipes and insights into a tradition gathered from traveling the world.

    In the course of his career mastering the sweet art of desserts, the adventurous chef has traveled from his native France to discover teatime specialties in over 20 countries and cities — from London and Rome to Miami, Tokyo, Singapore and Phuket.

    Favorite pastries and delicacies from his global odyssey now inspire his new “International Afternoon Tea Journey,” served with a choice of premium teas.

    With a menu adjusting to fresh seasonal produce and finest traditional ingredients, the debut summer selection includes “Tropical Afternoon Tea” made from a fiesta of abundant fresh fruits; “Very Berry Afternoon Tea” with seasonal berries; “Lobster Afternoon Tea” with jet-fresh Boston lobster; and a chocolate indulgence of “Duke’s Chocolate Afternoon Tea.” The creative desserts include the melt-in-your-mouth French specialty raspberry mille-feuille, elegant and refreshing British-style macaroon “after eight” and cherry pistachio Paris-Brest, originally created as a tribute to chic Paris girls.

    Southeast Asian delicacies adding an Oriental twist include Hanoi-style grilled chicken “banh mi” with litchi delight on a shortbread biscuit bringing the local flavor of southern China.

    Chef Lee has honed his mastery of dessert masterpieces since discovering a passion for sweet treats from an early age in France, the birthplace of “patisserie.”

    “I decided to make a career of the culinary art form since leaving school at the age of 17, and have devoted the last 15 years to learning more about this ultimate fusion of beauty, delicate technique and sweet gastronomy,” he said.

    “Desserts are beloved worldwide, and traveling is a great inspiration to discover how the afternoon tea tradition extends internationally everywhere, in a multitude of shapes and forms. Every destination has its own favorites, and the new menu extends a tradition of highly acclaimed dessert experiences creating unforgettable memories for guests at The Langham, Shenzhen.”(SD News)