The holidays are just around the corner, but the seasonal treats at Universal Studios are already here — and according to the park’s executive chef, Jens Dahlmann, they’re spectacular this year.
“The holiday season is so special to us,” says Dahlmann, who is the executive chef of operations at the resort.
“It’s a theme park based on a movie studio, but it feels like you’re walking around in a perfect Christmas movie set, with all the poets and decorations.” He adds, nodding to the Florida weather, “If only it were 30 degrees cooler!”
Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios Orlando. © Universal Orlando Exclusive photos: See every detail inside the new Harry Potter Ride opening at Universal Orlando
Every year, he says, the park takes care of selling seasonal treats, and he says that this year the confectioner kicked them out of the (theme) park.
“Sure, we’ll have hot chocolate and your Christmas cookies, but we’re always elevating those core offerings, asking, ‘How can we step it up?'”
She continues, “This year at NBC Cafe we launched a holiday pistachio wreath, a little choux colored ring with pistachio filling, and it looks so elegant.”
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Courtesy of Universal Studios
“Being European, I also love roasted chestnuts. For me, chestnuts and Christmas really go together, so this year we have a montblanc that is filled with vanilla cream and has chestnut mousse all over it, decorated with little gold leaves on top.”
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Roasting Mont Blanc chestnuts.
Courtesy of Universal Studios
“Of course, Christmas comes with certain flavors, like peppermint,” he says.
“This year we have a peppermint cheesecake bar, which looks like a beautiful fancy chocolate bar, but then you get all those chocolate and peppermint flavors and it takes you right to Christmas. It’s almost like a log covered in snow, just a really unique and sublime dessert.”
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Peppermint Cheesecake Bar.
Courtesy of Universal Studios
As for their hot chocolate offering? Yes, it is also elevated.
“Our Grinch Chocolate Bomb is something that’s unique,” says Dahlmann.
“It’s like a little chocolate shell, it’s in the shape of a heart, and it’s got marshmallow cookies and chocolate inside, and you put that in the hot chocolate, and then it melts into it and enhances your hot chocolate.”
“They’ve become a fan favorite. And our holiday cookies are really elevated, too, like our snowman cookie. It’s ginger with a little vanilla bean cake head.”
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Universal Snowman cookie.
Courtesy of Universal Studios
As for his favorite places to dine in the park?
Dahlmann says he usually ends his long days with a cocktail and dinner by the lake at Bigfire Restaurant.
“It’s very close to my heart,” he says of Bigfire, located on City Walk. “Everything is cooked over a beautiful wood-fired grill and feels like a fancy lake cabin,” he says.
“I also love Cowfish on Citywalk,” he notes.
“It’s just a fun place, and because it’s a burger and sushi bar, there’s something for the whole family. I love my sushi and it’s a very creative take on rolls. Plus, it’s very, very high quality.”
Dahlmann says he’s always amazed at how quickly the park staff transforms the resort into a winter wonderland.
“I just came out of the park and it’s all set up,” he says. The tree is up, the lights are up. It’s quite impressive and you really feel grateful to everyone who works so hard to give guests such a wonderful experience. It’s really amazing.”
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Source: HIS Education