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a8 local
Wednesday 22 June 2022
Infini by Chef Urvin Croes
“It is a flavor that you cannot define, but
you can create."
Inspired by umami, one of the five basic
tastes, and also Japanese for “essence
of deliciousness”, Chef Croes strived to
organically produce this palate in each
dish of the twelve-course Asian Carib-
bean Impression tasting menu. “It is a
flavor that you cannot define, but you
can create.
"Without a great team, there is no great
chef”
“There is very little I can do by myself.
Without a great team, there is no great
chef”, says Croes, while raving about
the young professionals sharing his kitch-
en. All graduates of Aruba’s EPI College Sommelier Jessica Theysen, who previ-
and familiar faces to the Chef as each ously managed renowned Chef Dennis
one has completed their culinary intern- Huwaë’s Restaurant Daalder in Amster-
ship under his guidance. In fact, Infini’s dam, is a true storyteller. From the mo-
PALM BEACH — After spearheading The Kitchen Table Chef de Cuisine, Ashwin Maduro, was ment she serves the Salinity welcome
for five years, receiving notable recognitions in USA To- Urvin’s very first student, before relocat- drink and the culinary tale begins, she
day, The Daily Meal and earning the #1 spot on Tripad- ing to Amsterdam, where he worked takes you on an adventure around the
visor’s list of Fine Dining Restaurants in the Caribbean, at several Michelin-starred restaurants, world to discover never-before-tasted
Chef Urvin Croes has now moved on to higher heights. including &moshik (formally &Samhoud combinations. Then, towards the end of
Infini, his new chef’s table, which opened at the Blue Places). Having recently returned to the night, it is his time to shine — Pastry
Residences in 2020, allows the Michelin-trained Aru- Aruba, Chef Maduro is thrilled to be re- Chef Jean-Claude Werleman, that is.
ban culinary artist to create gastronomic experiences united with his first mentor and hopes After spending the last two years per-
unconfined by cultural or regional expectations. Croes to secure Aruba’s space on the global fecting his recipes in the Pastry Depart-
says: “We opened up the entire kitchen and elevated map of unique culinary experiences. ment of the Ritz Carlton Aruba, Wer-
the dining tables so guests have a front row stadium- Similarly, after four years working in the leman joins Infini to continue exploring
like view of each step of the preparations. A chef’s two-Michelin starred restaurant Spec- his passion for experimenting with colors
table concept where diners and staff are able to inter- trum, Chef de Partie Moises Ramirez and bold flavors.
act throughout the evening, channeling through a story returned home to share his vast experi-
guided by a 12 course menu. ence in formulating recipes with meticu- "It's time to show that Aruba is a culinary
lous attention to detail and consistency. destination of its own"
Further down the kitchen line, Chef de “The goal is to leave our visitors speech-
Partie Alvaro Yi, who has worked at the less. The look on their faces whenever
two-Michelin starred FG Restaurant, is all they take the first bite says it all and it
about expressing himself through cook- is priceless'', shares Croes, with a smile.
ing and plating to create art that you Reclaiming the spot of number one res-
can eat. Mixologist Marc-Anthony Ran- taurant in the Caribbean is also in sight,
nis brings eight years of experience in but this time he will not stop there. “In
the fine dining industry to Infini. His fine the end, we want Aruba to be recog-
craftsmanship is displayed in the un- nized for its culinary mastery. We have
paralleled wine pairings and signature trained the best culinary artists right here
cocktails, which include his personally on the island and they have proven
homemade syrups, garnishes and fresh themselves internationally in the most
local ingredients. Maître D’ and Junior renowned kitchens in the world. Now it
is time to show that Aruba is a culinary
destination of its own. Who knows where
that will take us; hopefully to infinity and
beyond.”
Infini located at Blue Residences cur-
rently serves an eight-course Chef’s
Impression to up to 21 guests starting
at 6:30PM. To make reservations visit
www.infiniaruba.com or call +297-699-
3982.q
