6 minute read
Precisely, to The Gram, with Aleksandra Kajmakovic
Recently, Sofija Acimovic from The Collection met for scrumptious coffee and cake with Aleksandra Kajmaković, owner of Gram, to hear about the novel new concept created and now open in Belgrade.
Agram of gold, a gram of diamond, a gram of truffle, a gram of oud... The most precious ingredients are measured per gram, and when a Gram is represented by a woman who, in time and in space, does not fit the moulds of everyday life, the product becomes real alchemy.
As with all world niche brands, this one did not leave me indifferent, so I decided to give myself a few grams of enjoyment with the owner of Gram, Aleksandra Kajmaković.
What is it that drives you personally?
I am a big art lover. It is the most passionate form of creation, and creation is the product of the ultimate freedom of thought. I like to cooperate with various artists, and I would like GRAM to become a small refuge for the exhibition of young artists. I believe that every space can be a place for both creation and presentation of art. That is exactly how I created GRAM, to provoke and provide enjoyment, and it is my work of art.
I stopped when I saw an open golden cage in which there was a silhouette of a woman/bird, so tell me, do you think that golden cages are symbolic of the time we live in?
My life motto would be Freedom. Of both, thought and expression. I grew up in Belgrade and that is already a great privilege, something that the citizens of Belgrade will best understand. We have no constraints in our thinking, we are open-minded when the project needs to be completed and when guests need to be welcomed. The interior in my Gram symbolizes free-spirited and brave women who have opened the cages they have been in for centuries. Besides, freedom is a value that everyone should fight for. It is not guaranteed to anyone.
I was guided by the same principle when designing the menu. I was free to push the boundaries, to get out of the cage and create my own little world of taste.
What was the backbone of the menu you created? From where do you get your inspiration?
Belgrade is a big city with a rich offer when it comes to gastronomy. The offer is more and more diverse, and I think that Belgrade is excellent for breakthroughs and new experiences, so the shortest answer to your question would be that the menu came out of the box. We offer cakes, ice creams, pastry and sandwiches. A team of 20 great professionals is in charge of all recipes and production. Together, we patiently worked on the recipes, and now we make sure that nothing deviates from the quality we have established. It is very important to have a standard in order to have regular customers. Regular customers know what awaits them when they come to GRAM, and we must not let them down.
Everything we produce is original and owned by GRAM.
Our suppliers are an important link that enables us to use our recipes in the best possible way. The chocolates we use when making our products are CALLEBAUT and CACAO BARRY.
What makes your ice cream different? How do you make it so wow!
The recipe for our ice-cream was worked on for a very long time. The creators of our ice cream are the most famous and oldest masters in Belgrade who were students of the most famous Italian ice cream schools. We added something from the American recipe to that and thus created the basis for our tastes. This ice cream is a special gelato, unlike the usual gelato ice creams. Gram’s ice creams are created on the basis of sweet cream, 100 percent fruit, Belgian and French chocolate, Bronte pistachios, hazelnuts from the south of Italy, vanilla from Madagascar and no additives! Our cones are homemade, and we make them ourselves using butter, eggs, flour, sugar, milk and vanilla. We add vegan colours to the colourful cones.
What I noticed is that every section in Gram has products that are gluten-free and without added sugar… What was your main idea when it came to that type of food?
I believe that in the 21st century, everyone should see that everything, including our health, depends on us the most. The recipes without added sugar that we have patented do not differ, in terms of taste and quality, from those of others, so clients have the freedom and opportunity to choose.
Your coffee offer is very interesting, and the blends evoke many senses. What is the secret?
Yes, we also carefully selected the coffee and chose the Arabica bean type. As for the taste, you can enjoy a variety, from citrus to chocolate. A special roasting method and a combination of the finest beans from Colombia and Ethiopia provide a wide selection that can satisfy everyone's taste.
What is the future of GRAM?
For me, GRAM is a project that can freely develop together with me and my team. The production we have has great potential, but we are not in a hurry, we plan each step precisely. Our vision is to move GRAM beyond Belgrade and Serbia. I believe that the world is eager to welcome small creative brands that are perfectly balanced, and on the other hand, flexible and adaptable to challenging markets.
A: TC Galerija, Belgrade Waterfront
T: + 381 60 313 0285
I: gram_belgrade
