Chef Factory
June-July 2015 Gulf Gourmet
Chef Francois Leo with Douglas Ratnayake, Chamila Prasad and Chamara Prasad
DESSERT
ROSE Rosewood Hotel in Abu Dhabi inspires sweet surrender. At least among any chef who dares to take on its pastry chefs. With Executive Pastry Chef Francois Leo at the helm, Rosewood’s pastry team of Chamila Prasad, Chamara Prasad and Douglas Ratnayake has won all the top pastry chef competition in the UAE in the last 12 months
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harlie’s chocolate factory may not be real. But Francois Leo’s chocolate factory is. It goes by the simple name of Rosewood Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Standing silently behind the swanky building of Rosewood and its sophisticated service is perhaps the most talented pastry team of the Middle East. Chef Francois has trained his team to bring many a sweet smile to the faces of judges at competitions. Three of his sugar warriors – Chamila Prasad, Chamara Prasad and Douglas Ratnayake - have lifted coveted titles at some of the most prestigious competitions of the United Arab Emirates. Yet, easy lies this head that wears the crown. Born in the world’s desserts capital, France, Chef Francois knows it’s a series of trials and errors that culinary artists must endure to churn out masterpieces. When his Senior Chef de Partie Chamila won the ‘Best Pastry Chef’ title at the SIAL