Pastry master enhances coffee shop’s taste of success

TRUTH COFFEE ROASTING is one of Cape Town’s biggest success stories. Not only has it been voted best coffee shop in the world – something I never get tired of writing – but it hosts great events (I had so much fun there at the vintage market last weekend, even if it did involve a lot more stairs than anticipated), and has now added another feather to its already-embellished steam punk top hat.

Kamal Hamzaoui, born and raised in Paris, found his passion for baking at the age of five when he was taught how to bake his first cake during a class at crèche.

When he was 16, Hamzaoui began an apprenticeship under the master of the croissant, Monsieur Chapeau.

He learned here that baking was more than just mixing eggs and sugar, but more of a science, and that really interested him.

After completing his apprentice- ship, he travelled to New York and London as a model, but returned to Paris to pursue his real passion.

Hamzaoui has mastered his craft in 3 star Michelin restaurants such as Le Bristol Hotel’s Epicure and Plaza Athenee Paris. He continued to further his career and knowledge at Assemblee Nationale’s La Petite Cour & Pierre Herme.

He came to Cape Town on holiday in 2003 where he fell in love with our city, and his now-wife, and we are lucky to be able to sample his amazing pastries.

At the same time, head chef Jeremy De Matteis has revamped Truth’s breakfast menu with dishes like sour dough bread topped, creamy scrambled free range eggs, dusted in truffle zest and served with butter poached fresh porcini mushrooms and a fully loaded English breakfast with a slow roasted plumb tomato.

But the pastries… oh my word. Hamzaoui sent out a selection which included a salted caramel cheesecake (the ultimate favourite at the table), an exquisite lemon meringue, a dark chocolate ganache tart, and carrot cake. Each packed powerful flavour punches.

As if you need another reason to visit.

Truth Coffee Roasting is at 36 Buitenkant Street. Call 021 200 0440 or go to truth.coffee for more information.

PICTURES SUPPLIED Kamal Hamzaoui, French master pastry chef at Cape Town’s Truth Coffee Roasting and his salted caramel cheesecake which is a favourite of diners at the coffee shop that was voted best in the world by the Telegraph last year.