EATafrica
Landmark additions to Accra dining scene
The arrival of Landmark’s portfolio of inspired dining destinations has proved a welcome addition to the top tier of Accra’s flourishing food scene. Brasa restaurant, serving up straight-from-the fire, skewers, steaks and seafood, and patisserie and cafe MilkBox are already established favourites in the capital. Here the head chefs at each Labone eaterie reveal the secrets of their success.
Geisa Carneiro
PASTRY PERFECTION MilkBox in Labone, Accra
Head chef at MilkBox
Yes, we do. For our ice creams every-
start?
thing is natural and fresh. We use
I always loved baking and when I
locally sourced vanilla pods, which
moved to London and started my
are amazing. The flavours come from
catering course I felt this was what
local fresh fruits. .For our smoothies
I want to do as a job. Since that I
we use only fresh fruits and we always
haven’t stopped. I studied philosophy
use the best suppliers. We cannot
and have a masters degree in journal-
have fruits that are not top quality.
ism, but never worked in this areas.
scratch in the kitchen using the best quality ingredients. Can you tell us about the love that goes into making each one? Yes, it is a real love. When I create the menu that is where the love starts. I always choose what I think I would like to buy and to see if I came to Milk
the local variety and really liked
to combine colour or decorations
it. The flavours are all natural. Our
in each individual cake to make the
Raspberry and White Chocolate
customer desire it. I am very classical
Cake is made with fresh raspber-
in my designs. I don’t go for ‘crazy’
ries; our Banana and Walnut Cake
decorations. I think the taste is more
contains fresh bananas, our Orange
important in combination with a nice and simple decoration.
team know how strict I am about
to the Milkbox store, you cater for
organise and decorate all the cakes
started off importing flour, but tried
have to be as artist too. You need
As well as baking for customers
I am there every day from 6am to
special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. Can you tell us about
and Coconut Cake fresh oranges. CREATIVE CAKES The MilkBox collection is all freshly made
This is what make our cakes different and taste so special. Where do you find inspirations for the creations on the MilkBox menu? As I am passionate about what I do, I
some recent creations?
am always researching (I love pastry
This is the first time I have made
books). Instagram is also good to
wedding cakes or any cakes with
see what people are doing out there
Do you think there is art in the best
three tiers, but we do get requests at
and to think about what the MilkBox
patisserie creations?
Milkbox. Together, as a team, we did
customers are looking for.
Always! To be a pastry chef you
two amazing cakes that made the
to send to Milk Box. Dedication is the real love when you are pastry chef.
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For our cakes we use local flour. I
Box as a customer. My nine-strong making and decorating each cake.
It seems you like to use natural ingredients as much as you can?
How did your passion for baking
Your cakes are handmade from
whole team proud. We loved making it!
Creating what I have in my mind is
