When we approached JW Marriott for a shoot with the Chef de Cuisine at Arola, a niche Spanish lounge, there’s no way we’d have known they’d volunteer to give away 2 of their signature dishes – Patatas Bravas, and Crema Catalana that Chef Manuel Olveira creates in this video at Arola.

Now, you’d say both of these are quintessentially Spanish dishes. And we’d say you’re right. But in this video, Chef Manuel creates two versions of Crema Catalana (a kind of crème brûlée that comes from north Spain), a little different from the burnt cream recipe you’d find on the Internet – rustic style and Arola style.

Arola style, especially, is a sophisticated take on the traditional recipe, with a layer of aerated foam poured over mousse and a dollop of orange sorbet, finished off with chocolate. What comes together is nothing like your average crème brûlée. This one’s gentle at the start, leaving a lasting memory of orange sorbet on your tongue.

Even if you don’t buy a siphon, like the one Chef uses to lighten the cream with, this recipe’s just gotta be tried to be believed. To make this dessert for 2, and for the exact ingredient quantity, refer to the recipe here. 

Video recipe: Arola's Chef Manuel Creates Signature Crema Catalana