How do you make doughnuts that are guilt- free? Crazy for Cronuts
P a u l H u r l e y , f o u n d e r o f d u m d u m d o n u t t e r i e , s a y s i t ’ s a l l a b o u t c o n t r o l l i n g t H e f a t
ulyof1997… if youwanttobeprecise.” That’s when Paul Hurley — the founder of the artisan bakery Dum Dum Donutterie that recently opened its doors in Dubai — says he found his love for doughnuts and set off on a quest to make the best doughnut in the world. Now, almost two decades later, he feels that he’s there, but he’ll let you be the judge. And while the jury is out on that, one look at the different kinds of doughnuts, ‘ cronuts’ and yum yums on display at the little store in Jumeriah 2, makes you want to indulge in the dessert that, reportedly, fattens your waistline double quick — but in this case does not!
Earlier on, Hurley worked in the UK for one of the brands synonymous with the fried glazed treat — Dunkin’ Donuts. “I worked for them for many years,” says Paul, “and I learnt a lot from them. But I had this urge to do something different.”
He says he is hyper competitive and doesn’t like losing, something that stems from a time before his doughnut days. “You’re going to laugh if I tell you,” he warns me and starts laughing himself. “I used to be a professional dancer,” he says, waiting for a reaction. “I used to compete professionally — under- 15, under- 19, that sort of stuff,” he says, still looking for a reaction. But it’s not just that Paul competed, he also won. Many times. He was a UK champion for several years in Latin Dance and even travelled abroad to compete. “I think that’s where my competitive streak came from,” he says. “But I realised how it was all possible only much later. My parents were actually champion dancers too. And they never told me until many years later! But they always encouraged me and I think I’m very lucky to have had such a great family. My mother actually thought I’d turn out to be a chef when I was a kid, so that’s not entirely far off,” says Paul.
So, armed with ideas, experience, and zero lack of confidence, Paul set out to make the best doughnut in the world. Of course, it didn’t help when he initially started making doughnuts without frying them — one of the biggest reasons people feel guilty about eating doughnuts. “Everyone loves doughnuts. They may not openly admit it ( some will) but they don’t want to be caught eating one. There’s quite a bit of guilt involved when you buy