I am running late and when I get frantic my decidedly dodgy sense of direction tends to get more frantic (which is why Mr NQN tells me that I would be a terrible Amazing Race contestant). And we’re at The Star, formerly Star City but with an overhaul and a new look marketing campaign. Everything is different and I can’t tell whether we are in the front or the back or the side of the building and I feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland falling down the rabbit warren. And here I am about to see the Adriano Zumbo cake walk. And Zumbo happens to be running even later than we are!
The cake walk is his long held dream of having a fashion parade where models strut down a catwalk holding his creations based on a Parisian cake walk that he once saw. He had held one previously but that was for the taping of his Zumbo television show and it was more staged for the television show rather than a cake walk. And about 200 guests made up of industry contacts, press, friends and family are here to watch his cake walk which is to celebrate the opening of his new store at The Star.
They’re running over an hour late and guests are kept suitably watered and fed with sushi and sashimi from Momofuku Seiobo next door and cocktails including popcorn martinis. Suddenly with a burst of music and a shimmer of the curtain, long legged models strut down the catwalk, pout, turn and flirt with the cameras and crowd.
And there isn’t just comely eye candy for the menfolk but also some for the ladies!
The latest season’s cakes are paraded on the catwalk and some of them match the outfits of the models. The catwalk is over after about 10 minutes of strutting and posing and Zumbo comes out for a final bow.
They raise the curtain to reveal the new store with a “I Love Zumbo” in red neon, a turning gumboot display, a bathtub of chocolates and spotlit specimens of cakes in the window. Adriano makes a heartfelt speech thanking his family and his staff and tells people that there will be samples of the goodies brought out on platters. He then invites everyone to play in the shop and then to join him at the Cherry Bar afterwards.
Everyone spills into the shop where they examine the displays of cakes and in a Willy Wonka for adults gesture they are allowed to help themselves to a bathtub of sweets. We try the insanely good “macaroni road” which is a macaron stuffed rocky road with almonds and marshmallows and little malt balls as well as the pistachio and white chocolate truffles.
There are cakes for everyone to try and I pick up one of my favourite pastries, a religieuse. It appears that I have won the door prize of a Molton Brown pack with a candle, body lotion and body wash in the “yuan zhi” scent! Ooh happy dance!
A gorgeous NQN reader and I
Six weeks later Mr NQN and I visit the store to try out the dessert train. We’re terribly early, much too early for anyone to have had dinner and want dessert but alas time is a precious commodity nowadays and we have decided to have dessert first. The left hand side of the store is the retail store where you can buy cakes, pastries, macarons and packaged up chocolates and to the right is the dessert train. As it is school formal season, girls in fancy dresses stop by and coo at the cakes while phone toting fans take photos of the display.
Adriano is there that evening having dropped in to see how things are going and we take a seat at the dessert train which is like a sushi train but instead of customers picking a plate of sushi, they choose a plate of cake or a dessert. The dessert train seats 16 people and is busy on Friday and Saturday nights but relatively quiet on weekdays. There are no bookings taken and on busy nights there is an half hour limit for seats. They do take bookings if people want to book out the entire train for a couple of hours (best kid’s birthday idea ever or what!?).
He explains that there are plans to put the chefs inside the centre of the dessert train replacing the astroturf and turning wheels in the centre so that it is more interactive which is a good idea as the dessert train feels a little disconnected from the rest of the action. On the bench there is a cake menu and the prices are based on the colour of the plates-there are white plates for $8.50, pink plates for $9.50 and black plates for $10.50. There is also a soft serve machine that dispenses soft serve in chocolate and vanilla (this is just regular soft serve un-Zumbofied although there are plans to make their own ice cream) for $3.50 a bowl and a plate of four mixed Zumberons for $9.50.
The menu shows the various items on offer-there are about a dozen different desserts listed apart from the cakes that also come around on the sushi train, however only about 5-6 of the listed desserts are on at the time that we are there. We decided to try the desserts that were exclusive to the sushi train (although it was hard to pass up some of the cakes!). And while the train makes its way around we also watch as they make macarons -the majority of Zumbo’s macarons will now be made at this location and he counts at least 20-30,000 on the shelves or in the back.
We bide our time examining the items. The occasional plate has a name on it although mostly they don’t which would have been an enormous help as people don’t necessarily know what is in the desserts, unlike at a sushi train.
Ripe Cherry $9.50
“Aww it’s so cute!” I murmur. Admittedly I have a fetish for forest type of items and this looks like a little crop of mushrooms on a pink plate. The stalk of the mushroom is made up of moistened, very fine coconut and it is topped with a dehydrated chocolate mousse disc and it sits in a pool of coconut cream. There is a single sour cherry with a chocolate drizzle.
Pine Mint Splice $8.50
I wasn’t quite as taken with the pine mint splice as I had trouble getting all of the components on my spoon in one bite which is where this comes together. So if you’re like Mr NQN and I and get a spoonful of strong sour lime jelly you get quite a mouthful. It is markedly better if you get all of the components in one mouthful and that includes the compressed pineapple, fresh mint, cream Chantilly, salted sable, pineapple sorbet and lime jelly.
Chocolate coffee brulee $10.50
This was one of my favourites as I do love coffee and chocolate together. I thought these were three brownie squares but it turns out that this is three squares of Sacher torte (minus the apricot jam) and a log of chocolate coffee brulee with a coat of crunchy toffee on top, a milk emulsion and espresso melt. It’s simple (well relatively speaking of course) but has a good balance of flavours and richness.
Violet Crunchie $9.50
A play on Violet Crumble and Crunchie chocolate bars, the Violet Crunchie actually has two ovals of dreamy frozen violet bavarois with just the right amount of violet so that it doesn’t taste like soap, dollops of creamy honeycomb foam, chocolate shards and honeycomb pieces.
Peach Melba $10.50
Blood peaches are a newish thing and this dessert is a version of the peach melba with diced blood peaches, fresh raspberries and vanilla cream Chantilly. This dessert has the added component of two cubes of pistachio and raspberry cake which actually give the dessert less of a peach melba flavour as the pistachio and raspberry cake and sprinkles are quite dominant.
Carrot cake $8.50
The carrot cake was easy to spot on the sushi train with the vivid orange carrot puree, compacted and slightly sweet and a scoop of cinnamon ice cream (set but not frozen as it had gone around the train), a refreshing orange mayonnaise, tangy squirts of cream cheese, toasted almonds and walnut cake. And when you got it all on your fork, it did taste like a carrot cake!
Overall the prices are reasonable considering the amount of components and the fact that dessert at a restaurant costs around $18 nowadays. Although one could expect that you might want to try a few cakes and drinks which could lead to a similar phenomenon to when you visit a sushi train where you get a bill for more than you expected.
But I did promise you a surprise didn’t I? Well since I was so lucky to have won the door prize at the opening I thought I should pass on the love to one of you and give you my goodie bag containing a copy of the new Zumbo cookbook, a scarf, gift vouchers and samples of chocolate. And not only that but Adriano will autograph the cookbook with the winner’s name!
For a chance to win this pack, all you have to do is tell me your favourite Zumbo macaron flavour! Simply add your answer as a comment to the story. The competition ends at midnight AEST on the 10th of December, 2011. You can enter this competition once daily and it is open to anyone within Australia.
***The winner is Elena K. of NSW!***
Best of luck!
Lots of love,
Lorraine
xxx
NQN and Mr NQN dined at Zumbo at The Star as guests of Adriano Zumbo
Adriano Zumbo at The Star
Shop 1, Cafe Court, The Star
80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont, NSW 2009
Entry Via Edward St
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298 Comments | Add your own
YAY! A chance to win the Zumbo book
I love the cake walk hehe and the model they used hhaha especially the muscle man!
I can’t wait to try out the dessert train next time I come
but…my boyfriend’s not really a dessert person… so i guess i’ll just have to drag him hehe
I LOVE ZUMBO’s BUTTER SCOTCH CARMEL flavour hehe i’m a sucker for them! Last time I was at Zumbo i bought 5 and ate them all within a few days!!!
My friend managed to get me Thevsalted butter macaroni and it was delicious! Salty, sweet with crunchy exterior. One bite and I felt like I was at the movies! Yum!
Yum!! I love his lychee macarons!
black sesame for sure!
lovee the blog! Xx
Since Zumbaron Day I am utterly convinced that the fried chicken macaron is the best! ! !
mojito
I have always had a soft spot for Adriano’s Musk Macaron that I 1st had at the Balmain Shop! I also know he has been colaborating with Cheeky Chocolate at North Strathfield and I regulary go down and buy 1 Hazelnut and Choc Macaron from there to have with my afternoon cuppa at work!
Oh. My. God. I have officially died and gone to heaven. I will do ANYTHING to get into a Zumbo store and a new one is definitely my paradise!! Fave macaron flavour? I am split between 4; Salted butter caramel, raspberry and caramel (I do LOVE my caramel), cola and SATAY!!! It would be my absoloute dream to receive this gift pack. I am a HUGE fan of Adriano Zumbo and all of his creations. Just thinking about it makes me want to run there right now in my pj’s. I’d one day love to try to make one of his creations even if the end result looks like a dog’s breakfast.
Thanks,
Elena xx
Watermelon!!! for summer of course!
I’ve never even tasted a macaron….maybe I should catch up with this latest food craze. Some of the flavour combinations sound amazing. If I had to imagine one it would be mango and coconut.
My favourite are the Fig & Burnt Honey. Taste buds gone to heaven, delicious.
The first macaron I ever tasted was a Zumbo one!! It was an Earl Gray one and is still my favourite flavour of all the Zumbo macarons I’ve tried.
Do you seriously expect people to be able to pick just one? *lol*
I have to say that I’ve always been a fan of things like chilli infused chocolate so I’d say the Hot Chocolate because of the cinnamon/chilli tingle on the tastebuds.
how amazingly delicious is this post! And that book is already on my Christmas wish list!
I am going through a caramel phase at the moment – so my favourite macaron flavour would have to be salted caramel (but really, how can you pick just one!!!)
For me it’s a tug o’ war between the Earl Grey & Lavender and the classic salted caramel. Reading this at breakfast is never a good idea. Makes me think I should go to Zumbo instead of work!
When I went to visit the zumbo patisserie back at the end of october, the dessert train had not opened yet
the best flavour i have tried was zumbo’s MOJITO macaron flavour. the flavours you would not expect and it went pow in your mouth. love love love it!
Favourite flavour is TBA- I live in Brisbane and not yet had the Zumbo taste explosion treatment! However, we have excitedly planned a trip to Sydney next month for our “babymoon” before this bub arrives and the first thing we are doing is Zumbo’s macarons!!! Utter Joy!!! Something licorice for me I think!
How great are you to share the love Lorraine
My favorite Zumbolicious flavour was the eucalyptus one I had back in July, it was amazing!
Mmm My favourite Zumbo macaroon flavour is chocolate orange although i havent had the privelege of trying many and the other ones I have tried come in at a close second!!!
The rate at which the flavors flux on a week to week (maybe even day to day!) basis makes this soooo difficult, but I would have to say…the finger bun one! The pinkness and desiccated coconut bring back fond memories of my primary school years
My favorite flavor would have to be salted caramel. I wish I could have them for breakfast.
My favourite flavour is the Passionfruit & tonka bean. Pick me pick me!!
Ahhhh Zumbarons mmmmmmm. My brother lives in balmain so when I get to Sydney the first thing I do when I wake at his is go to Zumbo and get bit of everything. But I always have to get (running with your theme from the other day) LYCHEE!!! YUMEEEEE =D
A Dessert train! Did you ever have one of those “Oh Duh! Why didn’t someone think of that before?” moments… I am having one now… Yes! I will somehow find a way to visit this next time I am in Sydney town!
Having never tried his macaroons as I live many hours away, I would say if I could try one it would be the Lime & mint mojito which sounds devine
salted caramel!
OMG Zumbo never stops to amaze.
What a talented man. He is definitely Australia’s Willy Wonka. I have been a fan for a couple of years now and have visited every store opened. My son and I are going to Sydney today. Thank you NQN we will have to drop in and delight in the new store at the Star. By the way the autographed cookbook would be the’icing on the cake’ for me and my family.
YUM!!! I love the look of the ripe cherry!
Hands down has to be the raspberry caramel… Delish! But I cant wait to see what the christmas menu holds…
The cakes are inspired, the models are lovely–but the concept is very strange to me. Odd indeed. I must say I was taken with the violet crunchy though. I always love your posts, Lorraine. You open up a new world of food at so many levels–just when I feared I was becoming jaded!
My favourite is always the coffee flavour – such a clean taste as the coffee acts as an antidote to the sweetness which can be cloying.
What a great idea having a sushi train to serve desserts. Which look amazing. I’ll have to try and make that Macaroni Road. GG
What fun. Fancy you winning the door prize!. I love the salted caramel popcorn Macarons. Love salted caramel!. I think I might take a trip to the dessert bar
I like the little mushrooms ^^ It must have been awesome watching a dessert/cake catwalk =)
I find it really, really hard to pick a favourite, but i love the Pear and Vanilla!
I love all the Zumbaron flavours, however how especially love the Coconut, chilli & lime!
YUM
Rice Pudding!
Raspberry Caramel.. mmmm =]
Oooh Im yet to get over there. Its actually not far from work but you know life can be sometimes. Preventing my sugar habits
lol!
I actually loved the rice pudding macaron. It took me back to eating rice pudding at grandmas house. Such a great memory
Wow, what an incredible idea. I love the cake walk show! The desserts you sampled are all lovely, with the exception of the one’s with foam…oh how I really dislike foam. It reminds me of frog spit!
rhubarb is my favourite flavour. A friend and I stumbled across the zumbo shop in balmain a few years ago when visiting sydney. We bought a few macaroons to take home to melbourne but we ate them all!!!
I went to Macaron Day and bought too many flavours to name!
They were all really good, but my favourite would have to be the salted butter caramel! Absolutely to die for!
I would love to nominate a fave macaron flavour, but never been lucky to do so. Help me in deciding on which one, two or three I would like.
I did a whirlwind tour of Sydney the other week and Zumbo@The Star was on my list of “things I MUST see!” I zipped into the store and bought a Lime Marguerita flavoured macaron (thinking I would be very restrained and just purchase the one – I had been grazing all day) I had barely gotten to the end of the street before I had to turn around, go back to the store and purchase a whole box of 6!!! Super delicious!!!
I wish he would franchise and open stores in other cities around Australia, it’s starting to get expensive – travelling to Sydney every time I want a macaron
Not being lucky enough to live in a city where I can taste Zumborons, I was drooling over the menu, and simply can’t wait to try the Caramelised Pumpkin Seed flavour! Literally drooling. What a tease.
Has to be Chocolate Orange, always reminds me of being a kid and eating Jaffas – that’s my childhood right there!
I am swooning! The guy has talent, there is no disputing that. He also seems remarkably generous to his public, which endears him to me a lot. I have the Zumbo book and think it is a hoot.
Oops!! I meant Mojito! Ha! It’s only Tuesday and already I have cocktails on the brain!
My favourite Zumboron flavour is Lychee bubble tea! My favourite drink as a macaron, what more could I want?
Choc Monte Carlo: honey and coconut biscuit dipped in dark chocolate.
Love Adriano’s FIG & BURNT HONEY Macaron. Though have to admit there hasn’t been one that I don’t like. It is dangerous living very close to his shop!
HI
Thank you for your generosity.
I Love passionfruit and basil, so I think I will really love his passionfruit, basil and white chocolate macarons.
Oh that looks amazing (sorry I say that all the time)! My favourite flavour is the only flavour I’ve had which is popcorn flavour, I really really want to try more but coming from Canberra makes it hard to get to Zumbo as often as I like!
Hahaha! I’m not into fashion walks, but that is one “fashion” walk I would drool over. All the desserts look CRAZY good.
So much sweetness! Great shots of the cakewalk too!
Finally the train is running. Can’t wait to check it out.
My favourite is salted caramel and eucalyptus. Of course not together!
What a wondeful mix of treasures! Ive not tried anything from his range. I just checked out the website and it looks lovely. I would like to try the Mojito flavored macaroon! Thanks for the chance to win these fabulous prizes!
Best story ever Lorraine!! Made me want to jump in the car(with hubby’s credit card) & purchase all of the above, sit in a corner & demolish the whole lot!Yep,that’s what Zumbo does to us ladies!! My favourite macaron flavour would definitely be “Popcorn and Toffee Apple.” God bless, take care Lorraine!
Coconut, green chilli & lavender – it is so inventive and sounds too scary to try, but it tastes absolutely amazing. It reminds me of something that a new favourite website of mine might have come up with, Foodpairing.com.
Caramel and salted chocolate would have to be my favourite Zumbo macaron flavour.. The simple flavours just go so well together and balance each other perfectly.
I’d love to tell you my favourite flavour, alas, I’m from Melbourne and when my partner and I were last in Sydney I was adamant I was going to get a famous Zumbo macaroon, so we tourists made a special trip to visit the cafe in Rozelle and to our bitter disappointment it was closed! So we missed out! We haven’t had the chance to get back up there since. Tasting a Zumbo dessert is definitely on my bucket list!
Dear Lorraine,
This looks more like a fashion parade and for once, perhaps the macarons are playing second fiddle.
Oh what a great prize! And such a wonderful venue to take visitors (checks Xmas/NY guest list!). Absolute sucker for the salted caramel (which seems to be terribly popular). Perhaps to enter a few more times I am going to have to try out some more flavours!!?
Love love love the Salted Butter Popcorn macarons. For some reason I find the combination of sweet and salty really appealing =)
Wow, I can’t wait to get back to sydney for a visit just to go to his stores. My favourite flavour, hmm, so hard to choose. I can’t remember what the flavour was, to be honest, but it was bright blue with a white/cream coloured centre . (I keep thinking gumball but I’m not sure). Otherwise I think nice and simple which was a vanilla macaron with a chocolate centre. Yum, Yum!!!
My favourite Zumbo macaron flavour is Hot Chocolate.
Ummmm … dessert train is running late and out of time table order.
(only sydneysiders will understand that)
My favourite was salted caramel but the MOJITO one that I had last time was SO much better!!! The lemon verbena was pretty good but OMG….mojito is the best!!! I love that Adriano keeps changing the flavours so there’s always a reason to keep visiting!
Drooling over your pictures!!
I can’t say I’ve had the opportunity to even try a zumbaron….but from looking at my book, I’m dying to try (and make myself) salt and vinegar, sticky date, cherry coconut, and the butter popcorn..,
The Cakewalk is a splendid idea for promotion. Have never seen anything quite like it. Thanks once more for a trip to the Land Of The Unique
For me a macaroon has to be sweet, so I apologise in advance to Mr Zumbo. My favourite flavour is Sticky Date. A great Australian icon is this flavour and it just melts in your mouth. I can taste it now, yummo
I had my fist taste of Adriano’s creations last Saturday for Zumbaron day. I really want to visit the Star and try the dessert train, quite a novel idea.
Oooh! Only this weekend a friend told me about the dessert train at Zumbo’s, how exciting! Can’t wait to go check it out. And I do find forest inspired things very cute too
OMG sticky date!!
I don’t have a favourite Zumbo macaroon only because I have not been lucky enough to have ever sampled one. Hopefully this will be my chance. fingers and taste buds crossed!!!
I love cakes and deserts , once a fortnight on a Wednesday i try to make something different for to eat for me and my pals at the community garden where i like to volunteer all the deserts and cakes look to die for if i ate any of the m im sure they would ad a few inches to the hips but alas im in Perth so there is no Zumbo store here .
Salted butter popcorn, fo’ shiz. I never tire of one junk food turned into another
Have to say I was glad to see there were guys on the catwalk too. While it was cheeky and cute, the idea of parading (only female) lingerie models and cake made me a tiny bit uncomfortable. Hooray for equal objectification!
Of the 66 flavours from Adriano Zumbo’s Macaron Day 2010, that Y-E-L-L out to me!
One in particular SHOUTS “PLEASE EAT ME!” “EAT ME”
Choc Smoked Marshmallow, it would be!
As reminds me of my grandfather and a special childhood memory!
Before the macaron excitement did start,
Grandpa was a pioneer in entertaining his granddaughter, did a GREAT part!
Experimented in front of the fireplace, “Don’t tell Nan” he did say!
We Smoked Chocolate Covered Marshmallows and ATE then ALL day!
Put them in between our favourite cookies, TRUE!
When he was asked did he feed me, he said, “Made some sandwiches love” and we can hold off until dinner too!
Living in the Nations Capital, I have never had the privalege of sampling one of Zumbo’s sweets, but after your blog of your master class with him I have always wanted to try a Passionfruit, Basil & White Chocolate Macaron!
rice pudding would have to be my favourite!
Wow, those desserts look divine. Please tell Mr Zumbo to open a Melbourne outlet next please!
I have had the delight of trying six different Zumbo flavours when I wa slast in Sydney, and out of those my favorite would be the Black sesame, licorice and lime.
runway shows for macarons and desserts… that’s really creative and not to mention, quirky!
Can’t you just skip the hullaballoo and let me win? I think that would be the best option. Particularly as I’ve never had the chance to try any Zumbo flavour! I know I’d love the black sesame, but I’d love to try the crazier flavours
Also, I think the real reason you wouldn’t made a good Amazing Race contestent is the same reason I wouldn’t: we’d both waste too much time madly checking our phones for the nearest renowned restaurant/dessert cafe/street food stall as soon as our planes touched down to ever come first.
My favourite macaron flavour is coffee creme brulee, Yum!
Lime and Mint Mojito! Wow Lorraine, you must have had such a wonderful time here! I can’t wait to go..
Burnt fig and honey. A brilliant combination in their original form and brilliantly translated into macaroon form!
Fig & burnt honey … I can’t go past anything with figs … it’s like sex from the food group!
Oh, my gosh, you just have too much fun! I want to eat or make every single dessert you’ve photographed! Hope you’ve had a great start to your week~
Peanut butter – sweet and salty;)
Will have to book a date night to the train – looks amazing!
Zumbo = 0
Lorraine = superhot 1 
! Live in a free and democratic country 
!
ooooh exciting! Living in North Queensland and coming from the Whitsundays I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting Zumbo’s once. BUT three cakes and 10 macarons later I fell in love with the passionfruit and basil combination it was devine!!! I even thought about trying to recreate a salad dressing with the flavours I think it would be delish.
I was born in coonamble where the zumbos live and I am so proud to see that Adriano is such a fabulous and well loved chef,I really love what he does with passionfruit, basil and white chocolate macaron and would dearly love to taste it,one day I will,meanwhile my best wishes and wonderful cooking goes out to the chef,adriano,well done
I like his surprise chocolate coated ones that you never know what you’ve got until you’ve bitten into it… And sometimes not even then! It feels wonka-esk to be surprised or a bit like Bertie botts every flavor beans from Harry Potter. And as someone indecisive saves me choosing…
You always give out the most amazing goodies Lorraine!
I love the hot chocolate one in his current range – the hint of cinnamon is adorable!
I dont know. I live in Brisbane so haven’t tried one yet!! But i go to sydney in december and hope to go and try one – or two -or…yum!
I adored the Toasted marshmallow which just blew me away. Loved it so much!
unfortunately I’ve never tried a zumbo creation (melbournite) but the caramelised pumpkin seeds looks inviting
I am dying to try the calamari macaron my friend raves about after having tried it at Zumbo’s manly store. So that’s my favourite flavour, until I try my next flavour!
My fave has got to be popcorn. The first ever one I tried years ago and the one I always compare them to.
I have only had the one chance to taste one, but it was Salted Caramel (or something to that effect) and it was amazing!
Earl Gray for sure!!!
I have a little fetish for anything infused with earl grey ^__^
O.M.G. what a fabulous giveaway…it’s really kind of you to share this with your readers…
I’m a big fan of Adriano but unfortunately I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting his famous macarons….the flavour I would love to try if given the opportunity would be the Coffee Creme Brulee….just the thought sends my taste buds wild….
I live in Melb and visit Zumbo’s in balmain,
when we come to Syd I just cant resist not going there. Yum!
Salted caramel for sure! But there are so many more I have to try.
Can’t wait to pay a visit to the Star!!
I’ve always loved the Passionfruit ones…a beautiful mix of fruity tang and sweetness, and my new random fave is Bloody Mary.
I’ve never had the pleasure of sampling a Zumbo macaron so I have no idea but my favourite flavour I’ve ever tasted so far is salted caramel – simple but delicious!
I have never tasted a macaroon….how deficient of me! And I dare to call myself a sweet tooth!!! One of the first that I would try would be something pretty sweet and nice like a salted caramel, to get the idea of the textures, before moving on to something a bit more exotic like. Though scrolling through some of the responses, I am a bit torn!!! Lime and mint, mojito, mango and coconut, popcorn………
OK…..so my favourite has turned into a whole box!!!
definetly the mojito but the most memorable one was a hummus one i have had , but would love the gift pack.
I had raspberry shortbread on Sunday and that’s my new fave…
Flower has made me feel a little greedy though…I can’t make any macarons I buy last anything longer than a few minutes! Let alone a few days!
Ugh. I can’t even. So jealous. Like all of my dreams turned into one perfect night!
My favourite Earl Grey & Lavender. Yummy and fragrant!
Thank you for the giveaway
I’ve yet to try the Dessert train , no-one in my family share my passion for all things sweet.
I won’t enter Lorraine as I have the signed Zumbo book . Good luck to all your readers!
I don’t live anywhere near a zumbo store…. but the passionfruit & chilli macarons that I can get at my local bakery are my current favourite!
Wow I wanted to go to his launch party so badly it looked like so much fun! and all the cake samples look delicious!
My favourite flavour ever is peach tea because it tasted so different to what i expected and was so yum!!
I haven’t tried any macarons, so I’ll let a Zumbo fan win the prize.
I really admire all the inner city driving you do Lorraine! I live a long way from Sydney and last night my boss and I drove to the Oprah House.
I can’t believe how crowded the carpark was on a Monday night. I don’t know if you’ve been in there but you just go round and round and round, and I was starting to get car sick!
Living in Perth, us Perthites haven’t had the luxury to visit the Zumbo Shop. We religiously watched “masterchef” in the hope the master creater of macarons would be on…I would love to try his raspberry and caramel, hopefully one day we will get over to Sydney and it will be the 1st place of visit for us.
You Sydney people don’t know how lucky you are. I can’t name my fave as I’ve never eaten a Zumbaron. I bought the book a couple of weeks ago and it is great, cheeky and quirky. Good luck.
What a fun idea for a fashion show! Love it.
hmmmm interesting catwalk haha! gee whiz. he’s really turning out to be a chick magnet
I’m yet to try one of Mr Zumbo’s macarons. Oooooooh one day 
Heidi xo
This is one fun post, love that both men/women had eyecandy!!
Is it just me or does the idea of svelte, gorgeous models strutting down a runway with cakes make you want to swear off sweets and just head to the gym instead? LOL OK, it’s probably only me. But I must say, that dessert train looks very hard to resist. So much for the gym….
How very generous of you to share your door prize NQN – thank you from all of us that enjoy your wonderful blog.
My favoite macaron is Coffee creme brulee. My daughter brought a box of 12 macarons down to Melbourne where we met for a shopping spree and she had four in that box just for me – she knows me well!! LOL Her favorite was Raspberry shortbread so carefully abstained from those (it was very hard!), we shared the other flavors in a wonderful frenzy of sampling and chat between shopping forays.
Cheers from SueBee
Cannot go past the salted caramel!
WOE IS ME!! I have not tried a famous Zumbo Macaron yet. My taste buds are distraught & I am devastated. At the first opportunity I want to try the:
– Watermelon & orange
– Cola
– Lime & Mint Mojito
– Hot Chocolate
– Coconut, green chilli & lavender
– Lychee
– Lemon verbena
– Passionfruit & Tonka Bean
– Caramelised pumpkin seeds
– Raspberry caramel
– Sweet corn with a hint of mango.
Well that’s a start.
Smarties! despite it’s blue colouring, it’s freakin delish xox – how bout the guy in the cheetah panties!!! whoa….
I just love these macarons and have bee a fan since day one!
I have noticed that you need to leave them out of the fridge around 20-30 minutes before you eat them to enjoy the full flavour – they literally melt in you mouth. My all time favourite flavour is the ‘Pandan Coconut’ – made with coconut cream and pandan extract and truly luscious!!
I just love these macarons and have been a fan since day one!
I have noticed that you need to leave them out of the fridge around 20-30 minutes before you eat them to enjoy their full flavour – they literally melt in your mouth. My all time favourite flavour is the ‘Pandan Coconut’ – made with coconut cream and pandan extract and truly luscious!!
Never had a zumbo macaron because I’ve never been able to get there but I always drool from afar. I’m going to attempt to make his Popcorn macaron one day because it looks intriguing and his bubblegum one. I’m also going to blog about the re-creation of his V8 cake in my kitchen one day too (in a few months time after I recover from my surgery)
So…I wonder if that’s good enough to count as an entry to your competition.
I envy you soo so so so much!! Would love to be in your shoes and see that cake walk as well as taste those tasty desserts on that cake train!
Fantastic blog and fantastic post as usual!
My fav is Cola!
Cherry Ripe
Blood red cherries and dark chocolate
YUM!!!
Lime & mint mojito – The perfect summer flavour! I love them so much so that i tried to recreate them at home – disaster!
I have only ever tried a couple but of those I did like the salted caramel.
Fig & Burnt Honey, its so different and tasty…yummy!!
Salted caramel for sure!
Vanilla. Best ever.
OMG I would die to meet Zumbo or even see his cake walk you are the luckiest woman alive. Zumbo is my hero, he’s the Heston blumenthal of sweets or even rightly so deserves more than that comparison.
My favorite of all Macarons or zumborons are the salted caramel.
Now that is a seriously spot-on sexy way of presenting new desserts! How I envy you; local patissiers aren’t as imaginative!
OMG, I am so annoyed – I just got back from Sydney today! If I had known this was so amazing, I would have definitely dragged The Boy there! I have not had the pleasure of trying that many of Zumbo’s creations, being unfortunate enough to live in Canberra, but I really love the hot chocolate flavour – I’m a huge chocolate fan, and ADORE cinnamon and chilli!
I loved Adriano Zumbo’s BLUE CHEESE Macaron!!!
IT was so flavoursome and I rave on about it to everyone when I talk about Macarons!
I reckon it may convert more people to like blue cheese
Definitely the butterscotch caramel!! ;D
Tough choice so many great favours to choose from, my pick is pistachio. What a great prize I’d share with my 8 year old nephew who loves macarons and cooking.
OMG the coffee chocolate brulee, mmmmmm
I cannot wait to visit Sydney so I can drool over Zumbo’s desserts. I think I would love practically all of them, but as I love lemon, my vote goes to the ‘Lemon Verbena’. mmm.
my favourite flavour (so far) is toasted marshmallow! i got it just this weekend at zumbaron day, it was sooooo delicious! it tasted so real… and i don’t even like marshmallows usually! i wanted to get the gin and tonic flavour but they didn’t have any by the time i got in as i was there early in the morning, i’m sure that would have been my favourite!
Wow this catwalk is so interesting!!! I want HIM! oh I mean the chocolate cake. LOL. Thanks for sharing the fun post.
Ooooooh it really is quite a spectacle but what do you expect when it comes to Zumbo! Love the blackcurrant
My fav would have to be salted caramel!
Watermelon thats my kids fav.
i love the caramelised pumpkin seed! a great balanceoof flavours!
lucky you NQN! my fav macaron flavour would be the lime mojito! im a self cofnessed alcoholic!
did u say adriano’s new book!?!?! im in love! theres too many crazy flavours!but my favourite would definitely be the salted caramel! a classic!yumyum!
hrrrm macarons! do i really hv to choose?!?! i loved the peach tea last time i was at the balmain store. it was refreshing!
i was at macaron day and i loved the zing from the green apple pie! delicious!
yummm macarons! i loved redskins as a kid and the macaron brought back so many memories!
I love the 70% chocolate macaron
My favourite flavour is passionfruit
Salted caramel macaron, first salted caramel, first macaron, first visit to the coffee shop in Rozelle, never to be topped!
It’s a easy choice for me. My fav macaroon flavor is salty caramel. Yum.
Vegemite – Adriano’s sweet macaroons are absolutely yummy but what keeps me coming back is his ability to push the envelope – I was thrilled to see my favourite condiment in a macaroon last weekend! And the salt & pepper calamari had me licking the box clean …
Salted caramel macarons are always awesome!
Not for the first time, I wish I lived in Australia!
Wow, what a neat fun show! And the desserts all look so good!
ANYTHING to get into a Zumbo store
I was in Sydney last month, and the dessert train had not yet been inaugurated….and I was hoping to see it before I left. I am so happy to see it now on your blog. I am a regular follower of your blog. I would love to have a signed copy of
Adriano Zumbo’s book. Love his macaroons. Of course I won’t qualify as I live in India.
That’s my kind of cake walk!
Lucky you! A train of desserts! I’d take that instead of sushi
I LOVE this entry! It’s so delicious in so many ways – in other words, I’ll take model in the leopard skivvies and the blue cheese, butterscotch caramel and passion fruit macarons! However, every time I see anything ‘Zumbo’, it reminds me that I’ve been dying to attempt his V8 cake. It’s definitely a New Year’s resolution!
Not living in Sydney, I haven’t had the chance to try one yet but I’ve just had a look at his website and would love to try the Raspberry Caramel Macaron
The smell, colour and simplicity of Mandarin, makes me weak at the knees !!!
Lime & Mint Mojito- my friend who lives in Sydeny even delivered a box of macarons for me as i live in Melbourne! I heart zumbo!!
Being all the way over in Perth I’ve never tried a Zumbo macaron
A dessert train is an awesome (though dangerous!) idea!!
Chocolate!
Thank you for such an awesome blog post. If I was a teenager I would have a poster of Adriano on my wall and write regular fan mail. LOL. But alas, I’m much more mature in adulthood and just quietly squeal each time I go into one of his shops or see him on TV.
My favourite flavour? Its always the one thats currently on my lips, but I do love the classic salted caramel.
I love the pistachio macaron!
after looking at the list from macaron day, i’ll add
cinnamon doughnut
fig and honey
baklava
green apple
peach ice tea
raspberry shortbread
lime and mint mojito
to the list of mr zumbo’s macarons i’d love to have tried!
Being from Coonamble, Zumbo’s hometown, it is amazing to see him succeed this far. We of course do not have many opportunities to devour the treats made by Adriano, and when anyone is heading to the big smoke, a visit to Balmain is a necessity to collect goodies for the locals. My favourite flavour in the macaroons has to be Rice Pudding, a homely and traditional dessert flavour. I guess now we will have to be visiting The Star to check out this amazing new store! Your pics are great.
My favourite Zumbo macaron flavour is raspberry caramel.
I’ve never been lucky enough to try one but the Cola one sounds intriguing!!!
Ooh. The most surprising flavour was the Korean chilli one (can’t remember it’s exact name)
Satay flavour for me please!
salted caramel macs are the best!
i hade the fried chicken at macaron day! it was bloody fantastic! i love the weird and wonderful!
ginger and lime wins!
yum! licorice was surprisingly good too!
macs macs macs! no not computers
green apple pie was sour and tangy, lots of love<3
salted butter caramel was all kinds of love!
Raspberry shortbread! I pass his Rozelle shop every morning on the way to work…it’s hard not to make a habit of popping in to grab one!
Ooh yum, it’s impossible to split the coffee crime brûlée and fig & burnt honey… Deliciousness!
Hot Chocolate
Toasted Marshmallow =) Just one bite of this AMAZING macaroon and i’m taken back to my childhood spent camping and singing songs by the fire. Its incredible how Adriano can create and combine so many flavours and sensations into one, small, teeny, tiny macaroon!
Once again we miss out on such lovely treats living on an island .Have never tasted them but from what i can see and read they are to die for.Love macarons they looks so yummy if i could taste one it would be fig and honey as i love that combination.many thanks for all the photos
I’m one of the unlucky ones who’ve never had a Zumbo. But when I get a chance to line up I’d go for something with raspberry, followed by caramel or coffee!
Oh, wow, what a brilliant post! like many people, I am obsessed with macarons, and am a huge fan of Adriano’s. It looks like the walk was super-fun and full of tasty treats afterwards!
My favourite flavour is the salted butter. I love anything salty and sweet and buttery so it is perfecto for me!
It’s simple and some might say plain, but i just can’t get enough of the salted caramel. Yum!! And a very, very close second is the popcorn.
The salted caramel macaron is my sister’s and my favourite! If I win this gift pack I hope Adriano can autograph my sister’s name cause I’ll be giving this to her!
I went to Zumbaron Day and was overwhelmed by the choices.
I restrained myself to 10 macarons…and it was a tough keeping it to that many!
Having tried a few of Zumbo’s famous macarons since discovering them early this year, my favourite so far has been the Peanut Butter and Jelly/Jam (PB&J) I tried on Zumbaron day.
The sweet red jelly, mixed with the salty peanut butter flavour is just pure heaven. I’ve been putting this combination on toast since I was a kid and to discover it was a macaron flavour made my day.
Thank you for your ever intriguing blog..
I love the salted caramel flavour and the lychee flavour and…I can go on and on…yummy
Unfortunetly, we have yet to try anything from Zumbo’s, we are coming up to Sydney in March 2012, so will be heading there for sure!
My favourite macaron flavour: definitely salted caramel. Yum!
Call me predictable, but Zumbo’s salted butter popcorn macaron is still the best! I always go back to that one when it is in stock at Balmain.
salted butter caramel:-)
Passionfruit & Tonka Bean
well i’d like to try this what on earth is a tonka bean but bound to b e yum.
Milo macarons are the most delicious!
Favourite!
L, can you and Adriano come and do your thing in BrisVegas. Please?
I wouldn’t be able to
Pass up the Mango and Corn. Golden Goodness!
mango sweet corn….being asian reminds me of those taiwainese desserts with shaved ice mango and corn for dessert. yes a wierd combination at first, but actually really tasty.
salted caramel:-)
My favourite Zumbo macaron is lemon verbena.
As I’m not privileged enough to live in Sydney
, I don’t consume Zumbo macarons as often as I’d like to. But my friend brought me back some recently – I heart the custard crunch one!
I really enjoyed watching the Zumbo show on SBS earlier this year. Especially when it involved macarons :p
I like the ginger one, what a unique mac flavour.
Oh Lorraine, I love your pieces on Zumbo! He is my idol and I can’t wait to get up to Sydney again to visit the new store.
My favourite flavour of his is Toasted Marshmallow – it is to die for!
Love the Lemon Verbena Macarons by Zumbo they are so yummy.
Coffee creme brulee! How can you resist?
Great post, lovely pics!!! My favourite Zumbo flavour is MOJITO!!
RED SKINS Macaron!
Salted Caramal is my favourite. Would love to know how to make some myself!
Butterscotch Caramel…mmmm….yum!!
It really is a great post!! I love zumbarons!!!
Passionfruit- oldfashioned taste with a beautiful new twist yum!
Toasted marshmallow is a new favourite of mine!
I haven’t had the privilege of trying one of Zumbo’s macarons yet but they all sound so interesting & delicious that I wouldn’t know which to go for! I’m a big fan of lychee so perhaps I’d start with that one first…
My favourite Zumbo macaron is Lychee.
EVERY SINGLE DAMN ONE.
Only because I have never had the chance to sample them.
I think he should open a store here in BumFuck NoWhere.
salted caramel
So many beautiful flavours to choose from, but my favourite has to be the Carmelised Pumpkin Seeds. It is to die for
Never had the privilege, but the first one I’d make a beeline for is the Salted Caramel, it sounds divine.
Fig and burnt honey
The Margherita Pizza macaron from Zumboron day! One bite and I was back in Italy for the hols.
Raspberry Caramel
earl grey & lavender – ‘Tea’rrific!
Musk macarons- are they the “sweet-tooth’s’ viagra?
Zumbo’s cafes are DEFINITELY on my list of places to eat at when I visit Sydney… everything looks ridiculously yum!
Cinnamon donut!
Wow, the Ripe Cherry looks gorgeous, but I’d go straight for the Pine Mint Splice!
I remember loving the scent of tonka bean when I worked at Lush, so I imagine I’d love Zumbo’s Passionfruit & Tonka Bean flavour
My favourite Zumbo macaron is Passionfruit and Tonka Bean.
I’ve just been dying to taste the Beetroot, Olive and Raspberry Macaroons since I saw them on Masterchef. Such wonderful colours, such odd flavour combination!
A combination of watermelon and orange, absolutely delicious!! The flavour is just refreshing, the orange give that amazing aroma, also not forget the colour of it!
My friend recently bought a box of the macaroons in various of flavours. I picked up the prettiest of lot and little did i know realised that it was the “Coconut, green chili and lavender”…tasted odd at first when the chilli hits but its a clever combination afterall!
I’ve never had one of his macaroons
The combo of salted caramel can’t not be a favourite though I’m sure
Custard crunch is my favourite
Unfortunately for me I have not yet been ‘zumbofied’ by his macarons as I live in Toowoomba QLD so have not had the chance to get to NSW to his store to try any of his delights
Hoping that will change in 2012!! But I think I may need to win this prize pack to help me through this tough time of not being able to try any of his Zumberon flavours!! But the mojito macaron is one that calls my name!!! “Oh Kirsty, you must try me!!”
Redskin!
My favourite Zumbo macaron is caramelised pumpkin seeds.
Loving Zumbo and all his sweets,
he takes deserts to its peek!
I love macarons of vanilla and pear…
They are so good, I will not share!
Fig forever – Love the shape, taste, colour and the amazing idea that made this scrumptous bite of delight.
Fig & Burnt Honey!
Memories of my childhood,
Nanna and Pop’s farm,
Fig trees and honey bees,
(but never a macaron!)
UMMMM Zumbo !!!!, Salted caramel; flavours I associate with my childhood, what could be better ?
Burnt Fig and honey! BTW making us pick just one is torture
Sooo many delicious flavours, but my favourite is Watermelon and Orange. He is a genius!
Chocolate orange is a favourite for me
hard to beat that yummy jaffa taste
Fried chicken – most unique and most delicious!
I saw the hamburger flavoured one on his show but never got to try it
So my favourite Zumberon has to be the ginger one for now
Salted butter popcorn. What a wonderful combination of salty sweet goodness :>
Coffee Creme Brulee – awesome.
My favourite Zumbo macaron is Hot Chocolate.
I havent had a chance to try any of Zumbo’s Macarons as I live in the Barossa & dont get to travel coz of my littlies…but it is a dream on mine to go to the Lab one day in the next few years
Zumbo is so creative!
The chocolate moose and coconut mushrooms are so cute and the emergency breaker box is a cool idea for the store!
Love the salted butter caramel:-)
like the rest of the entries my favourite is the salted caramel one as well
Hazelnut is my favourite flavour anywhere, macarons are no different!
I think I prefer sweet macs to the more salty ones like Fried Chicken (although this is pretty awesome and super creative I have to say) that he’s got at the moment. So Green Apple Pie is one of my fav – love the cinnamon taste!
Lime and Mint Mojito Zumboron is my favourite…
perfect for a cocktail party, to accompany the drink of the same name! Yumbo!
My favourite Zumbo macaron flavour is cola.
I like the ginger flavour he has. Although I’m going to give the fried chicken one a try soon!
I can’t go past lychee – deeeelicious!
I too have never tried one on Zubo’s macaroons but the butter scotch caramel sounds devine
Must admit would love to try the other flavours!!!
My favourite flavour has to be cola, closely followed by vegemite… Yum!!!
Salted caramel!
Ginger! Although the salted butter popcorn macarons come pretty close! Love the salty buttery and sweet taste.
My favourite Zumbo macaron is lime and mint mojoto.
I am from Perth, where there aren’t too many places to get a macaron fix. One of my favourite flavours is rather traditional but what the hell, salted caramel, mmmmmmmmm just to die for.
Salted Butter Popcorn macarons!!! I would also like the try the Margarita Pizza Zumberon next time I’m in Sydney though! Hopefully they’ll still have it then
Hot Chocolate
My favourite would have to be the salted butter popcorn macarons because zumbo has somehow made me love something that i have initially disliked become an obsession
I am allergic to the almond meal but sometimes it is worth the sacrifice.
My favourite Zumbo macaron is watermelon and orange.
Milo flavoured!
Salted Butter Popcorn macarons all the way!!! I’ve just discovered that he has a flavour called Banh mi Burger…interesting – has anyone tried it? :>
yep just gotta love the salted caramel:-)
Lychee – it’s incredible!
My favourite Zumbo macaron flavour is sweet corn and mango.
My favourite Zumbo macaron flavour is the salted butter popcorn!
I also really liked his Eurasian range and wish I tried more flavours from that! >.<
Passionfruit is my favourite, so yummy and delicious mmmmm.
Ginger is still my favourite flavour. Although I prefer to eat it chilled in summer. It’s more of a winter favourite I suppose
mmmm pear and vanilla. A classic combination that Zumbo does absolute justice.
Watermelon & orange
Would love to try the earl gray one:-)
Passionfruit is my all time favourite flavour
So many wonderful flavours. But I would have to choose Butterscotch Caramel as my favourite.
My favorite Zumbo macaron flavour is Hot chocolate!
The religieuse looks awesome!!!
Pear and vanilla does it for me..
Yummo – wish I had some now for tea!
I can’t decide between salted caramel and salted butter popcorn! Maybe one day Adriano can make a salted caramel popcorn Zumberon, but until then I may have to eat both at once!
Because of where I live I’ve not had the privilege of trying these but have heard lots of lovely things about them. I’m hanging out to try a Rice Pudding Macaroon.
My favourite would have to be salted butter popcorn – yummo!
Hot chocolate – delicious.
Don’t make me choose! But if you must, the salted caramel.
when/where is the winner announced?
The winner will be announced here. They have been contacted and I am waiting to hear back from them.
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