Imperial Palace’s Chef Angel: Aiming to be the Master of Pastry Creation

CEBU, Philippines - For famous French artist Henri Matisse, “creativity takes courage” and this is exactly what Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa’s Chef Angel Jimeno has in spades. He is not afraid to rise above the norms and give you a cake or a dessert that is presented like never before. The 58-year old pastry chef is set out on a path of placing the name of the five-star water park resort on the top when it comes to imaginative pasty creations.

“Creativity is walking on the street and seeing something that catches your eye and trying to use it as decoration for your pastry,” Chef Angel said when asked about where he gets his ideas.

He added, “If you cannot create anything, you cannot be a pastry chef because being a pastry chef is just like being an artist. If you will stick to only one style, you cannot compete with others.”

For Chef Angel, who started making pastries at the age of 21 years old without the benefit of any culinary education, everything that happens in his kitchen is a product of his learning through experience. From the breads baked every morning to every pastry that goes into the dessert buffet of the resort’s Familia restaurant. (FREEMAN)